Any technology that enables the practitioner to maintain a distance from their patient will play an increased role in the consulting room as we seek to practice social distancing.
A digital phoropter allows practitioners to perform a subjective refractive test by controlling the phoropter head from a touch screen on their desk, and at a distance from the patient.
Additionally, it can relieve some of the posture-related physical strain that often develops when controlling a manual phoropter head.
Ryan Heggie, Business Manager – Ophthalmic Diagnostic at Device Technologies, said that digital phoropters are one solution that optometrists can use to improve suitable distancing while also increasing efficiencies.
“Everyone is extremely sensitive during these challenging times, and looking any solutions to aid with social-distancing. A slit lamp breath shield, for example, has quickly become an essential accessory to provide some sort of barrier when practitioner and patient are sitting face to face, typically within 50cm of each other.
you can perform a subjective refraction test using a digital phoropter while maintaining a suitable distance
“Other solutions are perhaps less obvious, but can provide a broad range of benefits – not only by providing the ability to refract at a distance from the patient, but also by creating workflow efficiencies perhaps not previously recognised.
“The very nature of a manual phoropter head requires direct contact with the control knobs located within close vicinity of the patient’s face,” said Mr Heggie. “Conversely, you can perform a subjective refraction test using a digital phoropter while maintaining a suitable distance.”
Mr Heggie says the Topcon CV-5000, which is distributed by Device Technologies, can also streamline workflows with the integration of complementary equipment, including an auto-refractor, auto-keratometer and computerised lensmeter.
“This interface allows both a patient’s computerised lensmeter measurement and objective auto-refraction results to be sent to the controller, and either one to be auto-populated into the phoropter head, which can be used as a starting point for the subjective refraction test.
Mr Heggie says patient education and practice administration can also be enhanced.
“At the end of the refraction test, we can show the patient the difference between their old script compared to the new script, ‘at the flick of a switch’.
“We can also avoid the arduous task of manual data entry, by taking advantage of a synchronised interface with practice management software, such as Optomate or Sunix, which sends the patient’s final subjective refraction to the patient file, again with the press of a button.”
Visit device.com.au for further information.