Are Iphone powered eye exams becoming the future in optometry?

 

As far as technology has come with optometry over the years, there is always room for improvement, and new technology is always being discovered and introduced into the industry. If you have ever been to an eye doctor, you are most likely pretty familiar with the big clunky machine that is used to have patients peer through and read a chart of letters that decrease in size. This process is in for a pretty substantial overhaul that would make it quicker, smaller, and more efficient for both the patient and the doctor. A New York based company called Smart Vision Labs has developed new technology that allows an eye exam to be completed in just a few minutes without the need for assistance from a doctor in-person. Smart Vision was launched for use in optometrist offices in 2016, and has since found its way into 50 stores.

Smart Vision and how it works:

First, the program will ask you a series of questions about your vision and your vision history. Then, the program will run through a series of 3 tests: visual acuity test (the letters on that chart that decrease in size), pupillary distance test, and refraction error management test. The whole test pretty much just requires that you start straight forward, and it does the rest of the work. Thirdly, once your testing has concluded, the information is compiled and analyzed by the program, and sent to the optometrists and ophthalmologists that have been contracted by Smart Vision Labs. Finally, in about 24 hours, your prescription results are sent to you via email. The whole process is very simple and easy, and this new technology is allowing optometrists more time to put towards other aspects of research and patient care, and allows patients to come in for a quick and simple test, that does not take up much time in their days.

Conclusion:

This new technology that Smart Vision Labs has developed is a combination of old and new. They have focused most of their technology improvements on the refraction error test, because this exam, that tests the shape of your eyes to determine what of prescription you will need to correct your vision, has been performed by such a large, clunky, an outdated piece of equipment, and is overdue for a much cheaper and more portable alternative. The technology has been adapted from what doctors use in Lasik surgery, which helps to correct people’s vision issues.

Invision Optical is always on the lookout for new trends and practises in the optometry industry, and when we find something, we feel like it is our duty to inform our valued customers about it. For more information about our services at Invision Optical, please feel free to continue browsing through our website, or you can contact us via phone at 905-842-9444 or by email at info@invisionoptical.ca

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Adult Eye Exam

At Invision Eye Clinic we recommend that every adult from the age of 19 to 65 have a comprehensive eye exam every year. As we get older, there is a higher chance to develop ocular conditions such as cataracts,  glaucoma, and macular degeneration. For this reason, an annual eye exam is all the more important for adults over the age of 65. An annual eye exam is also recommended for anyone with a systemic condition like diabetes or multiple sclerosis where there can be a significant impact on vision and ocular health.

Our doctors strive to provide outstanding eye care with visual solutions that are custom designed to meet each patients’ individual needs. Our experienced staff will then work one on one with each patient to find the glasses and lens options that best suits their respective lifestyle.

Child Eye Exam

At Invision Eye Clinic we recommend children have their first eye exam by the age of 3, and then yearly thereafter. With every child, we strive to support them with their visual development and help them meet the visual demands of the world around them.

During your child’s eye exam, our doctors will assess them for near-sightedness (myopia), far-sightedness (hyperopia), an eye turn (strabismus), lazy eye (amblyopia) and other ocular pathologies. We will also assess your child’s eye movement (tracking) skills, and the coordination of their eyes while they are performing visual tasks.

It is important to remember that your child does not need to be able to read or to identify letters to have an eye examination. Our tests are designed for all ages and provide vital information about your child’s eye health.

Dry Eye

Dry eyes can show up in various different forms; red eyes, watery eyes, itchy eyes, tired or uncomfortable vision. When the delicate balance of tears on the eye is unbalanced, a cascade of these symptoms can present. Crustiness around the eyes in the morning and chronic styes can also be traced back to a dry eye problem. The impact of our habits and environment cannot be overlooked. Our habits, environment and changes in season can all play a role in severity of our symptoms.

At Invision Eye Clinic, each exam includes an evaluation to not only identify potential dry eye, but to also investigate the possible causes and factors that have contributed to it.

For patients who are suffering from more advanced cases of dry eye, we offer in depth dry eye testing that investigates the root causes of the disease. We can develop a treatment plan that will involve both the management of symptoms and a preventative maintenance protocol.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease affecting how the body uses or produces insulin, a hormone that controls blood glucose (sugar) levels. Those suffering from diabetes are at risk of developing various other health issues, including impacts to their vision and eye health.

At our clinic, we implement the latest OCT technology to monitor and assess the impact of diabetes in the eye so that vision can be kept at optimal levels. Our diabetic eye exams not only include digital retinal imaging to look for diabetic changes, but also an internal sub-surface scan to create a detailed map of the eye. When required, our doctors can also use OCT angiography to map out individual blood vessels in the eye to look for even the earliest signs of damage from diabetes.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a slow progressing disease and can often go unnoticed without regular testing. It involves an increase in eye pressure that can slowly damage the optic nerve inside the eye, causing vision loss. If left undiagnosed and untreated, it can easily lead to blindness.

At our clinic, we screen each and every patient with an OCT scan of their optic nerve to assess the risks of glaucoma. For patients who are at risk or who are diagnosed with glaucoma, comprehensive eye exams and visual field tests are crucial alongside more detailed OCT scans.

Glaucoma can be a confusing and stressful disease for patients. At our clinic, our doctors take the time to perform the necessary tests and discuss all the treatment options with our patients.

Eye Wear

At Invision Eye Clinic attention to detail is the key feature in dispensing personalized eyewear suited to your visual needs. Prior to dispensing, each order is inspected by our opticians to ensure accuracy & quality.

From Hand Made Boutique Eyewear to big names in the fashion industry, we carry a wide variety of colours and styles to fit every age group and taste. We make sure that our inventory is fresh and current throughout the year.

Contact Lenses

At Invision Eye Clinic our doctors can help you find the contact lenses that right for your eyes. Whether you have an active lifestyle, don’t like the look or feel of glasses, or just want something part time for social occasions, our optometrists are here to help.

First time contact lens wearer? Worried if contacts are the right solution for you? Rest assured, at Invision Eye Clinic, we take the time to perform an individual trial fit of each contact lens to make sure we have the right lens for each patient. We have a wide selection of contact lens brands and styles, and are confident that we can meet your visual needs.

Our Technology

At Invision Eye Clinic, we strive to provide the highest level of eye care. To help us achieve this goal, we have invested in state-of-the-art technology. Our integrated electronic medical records enable you to book your appointments online and have your third-party medical insurance submitted electronically at the time of your visit. All our patient records are stored using encrypted security measures and in compliance to the privacy policies within the health industry.

Our OCT retinal imaging camera takes a detailed scan of your retina allowing for early detection of many retinal diseases. Retinal imaging also allows for making close comparisons and watching for trend patterns between scans so that changes in the eyes can be monitored over time. The OCT has enabled eye care professionals to detect and monitor the subtle changes that can occur in diabetic retinopathy, hypertensive retinopathy, macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinal toxicity, and multiple sclerosis.

Visual field testing is done at our clinic through the world of virtual reality. With our portable VR headset, we are able to accurately and quickly perform all types of visual field tests. Alongside this, the wearable technology also allows us to perform screenings, colour vision, and pupillometry measurements right in the headset.