Clinical Services

A common piece of optical equipment, a phoropter is used to improve your eye focus. Your optometrist will switch between two different focusing lenses and have you determine which one is clearer. This is the main method of determining what glasses prescription is right for you.

The binocular indirect ophthalmoscope is used to assess your peripheral retina. Often retinal conditions such as retinal holes and tears happen out in the peripheral retina. A full assessment of your peripheral retina using a binocular indirect ophthalmoscope will aid in the diagnosis of many retinal conditions so that they can be managed appropriately.

Your eyes have what is called intraocular pressure. If this pressure is too low or too high, it can result in damage to the important structures at the back of the eye. It is important to routinely have your eye pressure measured by an optometrist.

A slit-lamp biomicroscopy is used to assess the front surface of the eye, including the iris, cornea and lens. When used with a magnifying lens, it can be used to assess the retina as well. A slit lamp has the ability to magnify your eye up to 40x.

An autorefractor is used to determine an estimate of your glasses prescription. This is often used as a starting point for optometrists who will further refine your glasses prescription in the exam room using the phoropter.

The FDT is a screening test to measure your side vision. If a defect in your side vision is found, then your optometrist can perform further tests to determine why your side vision loss has occurred. Common conditions that can affect your side vision are optic neuritis and glaucoma.

The digital retinal camera photographs the major structures of the back of the eye that help you see (the macula and the optic nerve). This is useful because your optometrist can compare your retina each year to previous years, in order to determine the progression of ocular conditions and if new ocular conditions have developed.

Ocular Coherence Tomography (OCT) provides your optometrist with a detailed 3D image of your major retinal structures. This is more accurate than standard retinal photography to monitor your eyes for disease and monitor the progression of eye disease over time.