Optical equipment
Every optometric practice in the country has to have a minimum level of equipment, but we consider it very important to do more than the basics and have invested to ensure that we offer a bespoke service to all of our patients.
For example, only a very small number of opticians have remote controlled refractor heads connected to compact auto refractors. “What on earth are those, and why do you use them?”. Simple, this advanced technology is faster, more comfortable and more accurate than trial frames, so better for our patients. And as a bonus, with everything controlled at the touch of a button, it is much better for our backs! (By the way, did you know that optometrists are well kent in many osteopath’s and chiropractor’s practices?).
For us, the benefit of faster processes mean that we can spend more time dealing with each patient individually and complete a number of additional tests which should be undertaken. It is absolutely not a stratagem to allow us to cram in lots of extra patients. We like to take our time, help our patients properly and keep our sanity!
Supplemental equipment
Like all optometry practices in Scotland, we have automated visual field screeners, digital retinal cameras and tononometers. In addition, we use various types of hand held and instrument mounted indirect ophthalmoscopes.
These devices are essential for thorough eye examinations, and no, they don’t hurt.
OCT scanners
Our practice has an OCT scanner. Within a few moments, this stunning instrument can produce a 3-D retinal photograph which can be viewed from any angle. Additionally, it can give us a very detailed scan of the macula (the central and most receptor dense part of your eye, the bit that gives you your sharpest vision). It can do other clever things like a detailed optic nerve analysis and compare it to a “normative” database, that is compare your optic nerve to an “average” group of people who are matched for age, ethnicity, sex, etc.
This is incredibly useful for detecting tiny abnormalities which could very easily be missed in the course of a standard eye exam. As your data is stored in the instrument’s computer, we can monitor any subtle changes in your eyes which may occur over time.
Unlike the vast majority of optometrists, we DO NOT charge for this service. We feel that there should be no barriers to a full and comprehensive eye exam.