Hereford has become home to the first optometry practice in the UK to have a revolutionary eye imaging device that can detect a wide range of retinal disorders and diseases.
Award-winning BBR Optometry in St Owen Street has taken delivery of a new Optos California retinal imaging device – the first one in the UK - that allows an immediate 200-degree view of a patient’s eye in a single scan, providing a high-resolution image in less than half a second.
This means the practice’s optometrists’ can almost immediately uncover more clinical information that could lead to the detection, management and effective treatment of disorders and diseases such as retinal detachments and tears, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.
It can also indicate evidence of non-eye or systemic diseases such as hypertension and certain cancers.
“Many patients believe the role of an optician is to simply test their eyes to ensure they can see clearly. In fact, optometrists do so much more than that when examining eyes and this includes looking to potential or existing clinical conditions associated with the eyes as well as possibly other medical conditions,” said Daniel Read, practice manager.
“The new Optos imaging device allows us to take a single ultra-wide field image in very high definition. This means that within just half a second we have an image that provides the optician with so much more detail and information than they could have with other technology.
“This can then be used to detect any abnormalities or conditions. In some cases, these might go un-noticed straight away and therefore the early detection means some conditions can be dealt with almost immediately.”
BBR Optometry has placed significant investment into the new equipment at its award-winning practice, and is the only optometry practice in the country to currently have the Optos device although one or two hospital departments, including Hereford’s own Victoria Eye Unit, are also using the system.
The equipment is also patient friendly in that there are no bright flashes when images are taken; it has an electronic adjustable chin rest to ensure comfort; and images take just half a second to take.
“We provide our patients with the best possible service and through this investment we can advance that further, giving them the confidence that once they’ve had an eye examination they will receive the best possible advice and treatment,” added Daniel.