DRS Retinal Camera
The DRS Retinal Camera is a state of the art retinal imaging device that uses a robot to scan and image your retina. The high resolution camera takes detailed images of your optic nerve, macula and other parts of the eye that may need documentation to be able to follow various conditions that are found during your eye exam. Photo documentation with high quality imaging ensure that you are having the best medical care possible. A highlight of this camera is patients can review the results with Dr. Keats, who will teach you about the condition we are documenting. The photographs can even be emailed to you so you have these valuable pictures in your personal records.
Macular Risk Genetic Test
Macular Risk – a genetic test to determine your inherited risk for sight threatening macular degeneration (https://arcticdx.com/).
Does someone in your family have macular degeneration? Have you ever wondered about your personal risk of developing this disease, especially in its severe wet form? Do you currently have a mild case of dry macular degeneration and worry about progressing to dreaded wet disease? The Macular Risk genetic test can give you information about this risk to help you plan for the future in your life choices to lower your risk, or give you the peace of mind that you need to be less anxious about the future.
Dr. Keats can collect your DNA in the office and send it to the Macular Risk lab where your DNA will be tested for genetic markers that point to the potential of wet, neovascular glaucoma. A positive test for this disease will warrant more careful monitoring at Northwood Vision or a retinal specialist’s office, as prompt detection and treatment can make a significant difference in the outcome of treatment. In over 80 percent of patients who present with wet macular degeneration, treatment is started too late save their vision. This number could be dramatically reduced if only they had Macular Risk performed and had been monitored more carefully. Ask Dr. Keats about this valuable technology available to you.
Visual Field Testing
A visual field test measures how much 'side' vision you have. It is a straightforward test, painless, and does not involve eye drops. Essentially lights are flashed on, and you have to press a button whenever you see the light. Your head is kept still and you have to place your chin on a chin rest. The lights are bright or dim at different stages of the test. Some of the flashes are purely to check you are concentrating.
Each eye is tested separately and the entire test takes 15-45 minutes. Your optometrist may ask only for a driving licence visual field test, which takes 5-10 minutes. If you have just asked for a driving test or the clinic doctor advised you have one, you will be informed of the result by the clinic doctor, in writing, in a few weeks.
Normally the test is carried out by a computerized machine, called a Humphrey. Occasionally the manual test has to be used, a Goldman. For each test you have to look at a central point then press a buzzer each time you see the light.