The changing face of healthcare

The changing face of healthcare

Technology changes come fast and furious for most businesses these days, and there's always a fine line between waiting for the next progressive advancement and getting an amazingly useful piece of equipment to add value to that already used in a business. Optometry is one field where technology is making a big impact by playing a huge part in achieving early diagnosis and effective treatment of eye problems.

Rural towns in the past have missed out on the latest and greatest due to the affordability issues but fortunately for the good folks of Wanaka, local optometrist Tui Homer has just taken delivery of the most advanced Maestro 3D Optical Coherence Tomographer, or OCT around. The OCT is most commonly known for use in glaucoma management and also diagnosis and management of macular degeneration, as well as a number of less commonly known anterior eye diseases.

The primary function of this particular piece of equipment is to provide a three dimensional scan of the back or front of the eye, allowing assessment of the individual cellular layers of the retina, optic nerve, cornea and iris. Another priceless attribute is the ability to measure an accurate internal fluid drainage angle and refer immediately for patients who are at risk of the blinding condition known as acute angle closure glaucoma. Already, Tui has referred patients to Dunedin for sight saving intervention as a result of this advanced technology.

With macular degeneration affecting up to 1 in 7 people over the age of 50, and an increasingly aging population, early detection and intervention of this sight threatening disease is crucial. The accuracy of this new machine is such that scans are now being taken and exported directly to the eye surgeons in Dunedin and Christchurch for assessment and immediate action where needed. This means more efficient referrals and people being treated in the appropriate time, as well as co-management of stable disease.

In cases where patients have a condition that requires regular monitoring, this is now an option in Wanaka, in some cases saving patients a drive to Dunedin.

With this machine now available for use at Central Vision Optometry in Wanaka, advanced eye care using the latest technology, becomes part of the suite of resources available to those in our district not just in the big centers.

Although this latest OCT came at a significant cost to the practice, Tui's aim is to price the test to ensure it is accessible to anyone who needs it.

Having recently completed a stint in Vanuatu doing volunteer optometry work, Tui is committed to combine her passion for the people of the Pacific with her desire to provide the best possible eye-care to the people of Wanaka and surrounds. Combining to the two together to pay it forward means that for the remainder of 2015, when a patient comments on this initiative, Central Vision Optometry will donate $1 from each OCT exam to the Vanuatu relief effort following the devastating Cyclone Pam.

ENDS

© Scoop Media