Information in this article has been re-posted from The Eye Doc Blog (www.theeyedocblog.com).

Results from a pilot study conducted by doctors at the New England College of Optometry* were recently presented at Optometry’s Meeting and the American Academy of Optometry.  In the study, subjects were examined using the methods of traditional ophthalmoscopy and optomap^®assisted ophthalmoscopy, where an ultra-wide field retinal image from the  optomap^® guides the retinal examination.

Forty subjects underwent undilated imaging with the optomap^®. Subjects were then dilated and underwent traditional ophthalmoscopy and optomap^®assisted ophthalmoscopy. The traditional exam consisted of BIO and slit lamp biomicrosopy with precorneal lenses. Optomap^®assisted ophthalmoscopy was identical to traditional, with the exception that the doctor reviewed optomap^® Images before performing their BIO examination. A masked Reader graded the optomap^® Images of all subjects. A retinal specialist examined 28 of the 40 subjects and served as the gold standard.

Sensitivity and specificity of the optomap^® Image review in detecting retinal lesions were compared to sensitivity and specificity of both traditional and optomap^®assisted ophthalmoscopy. The results indicate that using optomap^® Images increases pathology detection. Sensitivity of the Reader (image review alone) outperformed traditional ophthalmoscopy by approximately 15%, while sensitivity of optomap^®assisted ophthalmoscopy outperformed traditional ophthalmoscopy by approximately 30%. Specificity was comparable across all methods.

“I believe the increased sensitivity is due to the optomap^® field of view and in part to the software capabilities. Being able to magnify and zoom-in, adjust the gamma, contrast and brightness as well as using the individual red and green laser separations allows the examiner to really hone in on areas of interest,” said Kristen Brown, OD, FAAO, the Principal Investigator.

Data from a statistically powered study is currently being analyzed, with results expected in 2010.

Schedule an appointment with one of the eye doctors at Iowa EyeCare today to have your eyes examined.

*Independent clinical study conducted by Kristen Brown, OD, FAAO 1,2, Jeanette Sewell, OD 1,2, Tom Travison, PhD3. 1New England Eye Institute, Boston, MA; 2New England College of Optometry, Boston, MA; 3New England Research Institute, Watertown, MA.

Click here to learn how the Optomap saved this young mother's life.

Dr. Richard Noyes

The importance of routine examinations cannot be under stated.  The light-sensitive retina (located on the back, inside surface of the eye) should be examined at least annually, even for those with perfect vision.  The following is a real-life example of why a retinal exam is so important. 

Melanoma of the Eye

An Optomap® retinal exam was performed.  The image of the right eye is shown here and has a dark oval lesion: melanoma.  This patient was sent to the University of Iowa to see an ophthalmic oncologist (an eye-cancer doctor) and the eye was removed 3 days later.

Cancer of the eye is deadly.  The early diagnosis made by Dr. Noyes saved this woman’s life.  Fortunately, she doing fine and was fit with a prosthetic eye. 

Don’t wait to schedule your next eye exam.  We have locations in Cedar Rapids, Marion and Robins, Iowa.