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Focus on Glaucoma Detection Devices

HRT II
Heidelberg

The Heidelberg Retina Tomo-graph II (HRT II) evaluates early structural damage in the optic nerve head and retinal nerve fiber layer. It also features two modules: the Macular Edema Module, which measures diabetic macular edema, and the Cornea Module, currently under FDA review for mid-2003 availability. The Cornea Module can magnify up to 800 times to achieve 1-micron resolution; it can provide an automatic count of keratocytes and a density count of epithelial and endothelial cells.

Heidelberg believes the Cornea Module will be helpful during pre- and post-LASIK assessment.

Phone: (800) 931-2230
Web: HeidelbergEngineering.com

GDx VCC
LDT

Laser Diagnostic Technologies' (LDT's) GDx VCC uses scanning laser polarimetry to assess the health, structure and thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer. It features Variable Corneal Compen-sation, which virtually eliminates corneal interference.

The GDx VCC can complete a full exam in 5 minutes, compared with 10 minutes for the GDx. Another difference between the two models: The GDx is similar to a fundus camera, while the GDx VCC more closely resembles an autorefractor.

Phone: (800) 722-6393
Web: www.laserdiagnostic.com

BFA
Paradigm

The Dicon Ocular Blood Flow Analyzer (BFA) from Paradigm Medical provides measurements that can help you detect glaucoma, as well as other retinal pathologies.

In addition to recording pulsatile ocular blood flow data, the BFA measures intraocular pressure. The company believes the BFA's design reduces the influence of variations in corneal thickness that affect traditional Goldmann results.

Phone: (800) 742-0671
Web: paradigm-medical.com

RTA
Talia

The Retinal Thickness Analyzer (RTA) from Talia Technology features a computerized algorithm that analyzes optical cross sections to create retinal thickness maps, comparative reports and disc topography. This information can help you diagnosis early-stage glaucoma, diabetic macular edema and a variety of retinal pathologies.

The RTA consists of a scanning head, color printer, 17" flat-panel monitor, proprietary software, a cart composed of lift table and computer station, and a computer with a Pentium IV processor.

Phone: (800) 214-2030
Web: www.talia.com

STRATUSoct
Zeiss Meditec

The STRATUSoct uses a super-luminescent diode to acquire direct cross sectional images of the retina, providing objective measurement for subjective clinical analysis.

Carl Zeiss Meditec considers the STRATUSoct the optical equivalent of ultrasound because it lets you see virtually below the surface of the retina to assess disease in vivo. The histological section of tissue can be measured and analyzed with one of 18 analysis protocols.

Phone: (877) 486-7473
Web: www.meditec.zeiss.com

More Products & Services

NEW THERATEARS
Last month, Advanced Vision Research added two new products to its TheraTears line: TheraTears Liquid Gel and TheraTears Nutrition for Dry Eyes.

According to the company, TheraTears Liquid Gel is the first preservative-free, electrolyte-balanced lubricant gel for nighttime use or for dry eye patients who need a longer-lasting protective film during the day. TheraTears Nutrition for Dry Eyes is a supplement that provides "the foundation for all dry eye treatment approaches." It suppresses blepharitis, stimulates tear secretion and bolsters the oil layer that protects tears from evaporating.

Advanced Vision Research adds that TheraTears Lubricant Eye Drops and TheraTears Liquid Gel relieve dry eye irritation from the outside, while TheraTears Nutrition relieves dry eye from the inside.

Advanced Vision Research
Phone: (800) 979-8327
Web: www.theratears.com

Rhein Medical and Laurence Brown, M.D., developed this system to dilate a small pupil manually.

MANUAL DILATION
Rhein Medical's new pupil dilation system consists of two instruments: The Brown Pupil Dilator, Phaco Incision and the Brown Side Port Pupil Dilator.

To manually dilate a small pupil requires both hands. The surgeon inserts the Brown Pupil Dilator, Phaco Incision through the main phaco incision. After placing the proximal hook in position, he pushes the button forward; as the button advances, the distal hook stretches the iris forward, while the proximal hook retracts the iris.

Simultaneously, the surgeon inserts the Brown Side Port Pupil Dilator through the side port incision with the other hand and uses it to stretch the iris from side to side.

Rhein Medical
Phone: (800) 637-4346
Web: www.rheinmedical.com

The 1623 Monocular Galilean Telescope requires no focusing to view distant objects.

GALILEAN TELESCOPE
New to Eschenbach's catalog is the 1623 Monocular Galilean Telescope, which the company is touting as the largest wide-angle monocular Galilean telescope on the market.

The telescope provides 2X magnification and -- with a 37-mm-wide objective lens -- a 22º field of view. To view near objects, users snap on one of eight reading caps, available in powers from 3.00D to 12.00D. When not using the caps, they can be flipped up and out of the way.

Eschenbach
Phone: (800) 487-5389
Web: www.eschenbach.com

SINGLE-USE SPECULUMS
Eagle Laboratories now stocks a line of single-use wire eye speculums. Styles available include Barraquer and Kratz/Barraquer in sizes 10 mm and 15 mm. The company sells the sterile speculums in boxes of three.

Eagle Labs
Phone: (800) 782-6534
Web: www.eaglelabs.com

LASEK SET
The American Surgical Instruments Corporation (ASICO) is now offering the laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK) Set. It consists of:

• Carones LASEK Pump and 10.0-mm O.Z. Chamber. When you press the button on the pump, it releases a measured amount of alcohol into the chamber.
  ASICO notes that the pump and chamber are an improvement over syringes because they prevent accidental overflow of the chamber. Also, you can fill the pump and chamber at the beginning of the surgical day and use it for multiple cases because, unlike syringes, the pump and chamber can't produce a back flush.
• Vinciguerra LASEK/PRK Spatula. The semi-sharp edge of this spatula is useful for making the initial 

  	The Vinciguerra LASEK Protector is part of ASICO's LASEK Set.

  off-center incision in the epithelium. You may also use the spatula to dissect under the epithelium after applying alcohol.

• Vinciguerra LASEK Spatula. This spatula has a curve similar to the cornea, which should help you lift the edge of the epithelium. Also, the spatula allows for placement of the flap after laser ablation, and it removes wrinkles when placing the flap.
• Vinciguerra LASEK Protector. This instrument retracts and protects the epithelial flap during laser ablation.

ASICO
Phone: (800) 628-2879
Web: www.asico.com

The UltraPlug Punctal Gauge/Dilator provides a convenient and controlled way to measure and dilate the puncta, says Surgical Specialties.

ULTRAPLUG ADDITIONS
Surgical Specialties has added a 0.7-mm silicone punctum plug to its UltraPlug punctum plug line. The company preloads the plug on a sterile, disposable dispenser. UltraPlug silicone punctum plugs are now available in 0.1-mm increments from 0.4 mm to 0.8 mm.

The UltraPlug Punctal Gauge/ Dilator had also been added to the UltraPlug line. Three separate Gauge/Dilator instruments are available, each including two sizes: 0.4 mm/0.5 mm, 0.6 mm/0.7 mm and 0.8 mm/0.9 mm. The instruments can also be purchased as a nonsterile set of three in an autoclave case.

Surgical Specialties
Phone: (800) 523-3332
Web: www.surgicalspecialties.com

MICROKERATOME
Becton-Dickinson Ophthalmic Systems designed the BD K-4000 Microkeratome System to "provide you with real-time, state-of-the-art systems monitoring."

The system features:

• a blade with a honed tri-faceted cutting edge
• a handpiece with dual Swiss motors control operation, which automatically stops oscillating and retracts the head at the end of the procedure
• a console with automated self-diagnostic testing.

Steven F. Brint, M.D., says, "The BD K-4000 is extremely easy to use, and it produces excellent, large, consistent flaps with no epithelial defects."

BD Ophthalmic
Phone: (800) 237-2174
Web: bd.com/ophthalmology

The Alio MICS Scissors are designed for micro-incision cataract surgery.

MICS SCISSORS
Jorge Alio, M.D., designed the Alio MICS Scissors for Katena Instruments.

The scissors feature delicate, blunt-tipped blades for cutting synechia, performing small pupil iridotomies and enlarging capsular bags. The curved 23-gauge shaft of the scissors lets you use the scissors through a paracentesis, while the lightweight, titanium squeeze-handle mechanism helps to give you control of the tips during surgery.

Katena
Phone: (800) 225-1195
Web: www.katena.com

Gelflex manufactures the Synergy Toric to exact patient specifications.

SYNERGY CLs

Gelflex Laboratories has launched Synergy, a custom-manufactured quarterly replacement toric.

Synergy is available in two materials, Methafilcon A 55% and Hioxifilcon B 49%. The parameter range in sphere and cylinder power is unlimited, and the axis is offered in 1º steps.

Synergy boasts an 87% success rate for empirical first fit and a 97% success rate overall, according to company literature.

Gelflex
Phone: (866) 435-3539
Web: www.gelflex.com

CIBA VISION PRODUCT NEWS

Aosept Clear Care, CIBA Vision's no-rub peroxide-based lens care formula, has been approved to store contact lenses for up to 7 days following disinfection. Previously, users could only store lenses in Aosept Clear Care for 24 hours after disinfection.

In other CIBA Vision news, after launching Focus Dailies Toric in Europe last year, the company is now ready for a phased rollout of the lens in the United States and Canada. Initially, CIBA Vision will only make the lens available to eyecare practitioners who most frequently fit Focus Dailies spherical lenses. The rollout will continue throughout the first quarter of this year, when CIBA Vision plans nationwide availability of the lens.

According to CIBA Vision, the Focus Dailies Toric is the first and only contact lens in the world to offer the benefits of daily disposable lenses for patients with astigmatism.

CIBA Vision
Phone: (800) 348-9595
Web: www.cibavision.com

The Braille Voyager eliminates the need to move your hands from the keyboard to the Braille display.

BRAILLE AID
Optelec U.S., Inc., offers two models of the Braille Voyager: The Braille Voyager 44 and the Braille Voyager 70.

The Braille Voyager 44 features an ergonomic design for use with a laptop computer. It translates text into speech and provides hand-thumb keys to help the user with screen navigation.

The Braille Voyager 70 connects to a desktop computer through a USB port; it requires no batteries or adapters. It offers the same options as the Braille Voyager 44, except that it's designed for use with a standard keyboard.

Both models have two extra Braille keys and a navigation key so the user can operate Windows from the Braille display.

Optelec
Phone: (800) 828-1056
Web: www.optelec.com