Diagnostic Technology

The Cura Ophthalmology Specialists paediatric team is highly experienced in the diagnosis, treatment and management of a comprehensive range of eye conditions including Strabismus (squint), amblyopia, nasolacrimal duct obstruction, nystagmus, as well as a wide range of other ophthalmic conditions.

The machines currently used within the clinic include:

• Optical Coherence Tomography

  Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) uses a non-invasive safe beam of light with special processing to scan through the structures within the retina in very high detail. The anatomic features visible with OCT are much more detailed than that seen by normal examination on a slit lamp. Seeing the retina from this cross-sectional viewpoint provides a powerful way to detect, diagnose, and treat retinal diseases such as Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Retinopathy.

  As well as retinal scans, we are also able to image the optic nerve in the same way for conditions such as glaucoma, as well as other imaging modalities such as autofluorescence, fundus fluorescein angiography and fundus photography.

  Scanning on this machine takes seconds and is completely non-invasive.

• Optos Wide Field Imaging

  Optos wide field retinal photography allow viewing of the peripheral retina, which up until recently was not possible. Previous camera technology allowed viewing of only the central 45 degrees. Optos wide field technology allows viewing out to 200 degrees, allowing detection of potentially vision threatening conditions such as retinal holes and tears, retinal detachment, new blood vessels and choroidal melanoma. It is a fantastic way to monitor diabetic patients and progression on diabetic retinopathy.

  This is a painless test which only takes a few minutes using high speed scanning technology and gives our doctors the best possible photographic documentation of the peripheral retina.

• B-Scan Ultrasound

  As the eye is a fluid filled structure, ultrasound is a convenient modality for visualising ocular anatomy and pathology. Sound waves are generated and these are reflected back to the ultrasound transducer when they encounter tissue in their path. As the sound wave returns to the transducer (known as an ‘echo’), electrical impulses are produced, which are then translated into an image.

  Whilst this mode of testing is contact and slightly invasive, it is completely painless. A small amount of gel with be placed on the closed eye and the probe moved around gently into position. This allows our specialists to better see and image retinal growths, neavi and anything else suspicious in the eye.

• Zeiss IOL Master

  The IOL Master enables precise and reliable intraocular lens (IOL) calculations to be made based on optical biometry, so that patients undergoing cataract surgery are more likely to achieve a successful refractive outcome. More than 100 million successful IOL power calculations to date have been made with the IOL Master worldwide. The scans are obtained without needing any contact with the eye, have in-built plausibility checks to ensure reliability, and only take a few seconds to acquire.

• Pentacam

  The Pentacam is a high-resolution rotating Scheimpflug camera and slit illumination system that enables precise and reliable imaging and analysis of the anterior segment structures of the eye such as the cornea, iris and lens. Images only take 2 seconds to acquire, and do not require any contact with the eye. A 3-dimensional virtual model of the anterior segment is then constructed, and data points are used to calculate corneal topography and elevation on the front and back surface, total corneal power as well as anterior chamber depth and volume amongst other parameters. There are many additional features available on this machine that aid the diagnosis and management of anterior segment diseases such as keratoconus, and assist in pre-operative planning for cataract, corneal and refractive surgery. This is especially helpful for patients who have previously had laser vision correction, and enables detailed analysis of different parameters to optimize post-operative outcomes for patients.

• Humphrey Visual Field Analyser

  The Humphrey visual field analyser is a tool for measuring the human visual field either monocularly or binocularly.

  The Analyser projects a series of white light stimuli of varying intensities (brightness), throughout a uniformly illuminated bowl. The patient uses a handheld button that they press to indicate when they see a light. This assesses the retina's ability to detect a stimulus at specific points within the visual field. This is called retinal sensitivity and is recorded in 'decibels' (dB).

  It provides a comprehensive visual field assessment and ensures reliable results. It is used within the clinic to monitor progression of diseases such as Glaucoma that have a significant impact on the visual field if left untreated.