spotlight on technology & technique
The Good Pupil
A new high-tech pupillometer makes accurate measurement easier than ever.
By Christopher Kent, Senior Associate Editor

As the saying goes, "The devil is in the details." This is especially true in refractive surgery, where a tiny measure ment error can have major consequences. That's why any technology that improves accuracy and ease of measurement is always welcome.

	The NeurOptics Pupillometer from BD Ophthalmic Systems.

When performing LASIK, one of those crucial details is getting an accurate measurement of pupil diameter. If the treated area of the cornea turns out to be smaller than the size of the dilated pupil, the patient may experience glare and halos at night.

Unfortunately, subjective measurement of the pupil leaves plenty of room for human error, and that can mean unhappy patients. Now, however, a new instrument prom-ises to provide accurate, objective measurements of dilated pupils -- and make the measurement process faster and easier in the bargain.

Taking Matters in Hand

BD Ophthalmic Systems is now distributing the new NeurOptics Pupillometer, a handheld instrument that objectively measures the diameter of the pupil. The NeurOptics Pupillome-ter is a self-contained digital camera and microprocessor with an integrated illumination source that uses infrared light beyond the normal response range of the human eye (850 nm). It captures and analyzes more than 30 images in less than 4 seconds, while a video tracking system accommodates for eye drift. The resulting measurement is accurate to within 0.1 mm.

The instrument includes an adjustable, internally illuminated color LCD, with a menu-driven graphic user interface that lets you input specific information about the patient, such as identification number, and displays the patient's information and measurements on the LCD screen.

Once the measurements are taken, the data can be transferred wirelessly using an infrared port. You can send the data to a thermal printer (optional with the instrument) for paper documentation, or to a multiparameter monitor to automatically update the patient's medical record. Or, you can download the data directly into your computer.

Features and Benefits

This technology has several noteworthy advantages:

• Because the NeurOptics pupillometer is handheld, you can bring the instrument to the patient. (If you use a tabletop pupillometer, you have to move the patient to the instrument.)
• It's designed to be easy to use; measurements are taken with the push of a single button.
• Because it's portable, it doesn't need to plug into a computer or require a special table to sit on.
• It can store more than 150 consecutive measurements, so you don't need to download data after every use.
• The pupillometer is powered by a rechargeable 4.2V battery; it comes with a stand that automatically recharges the battery when the instrument isn't in use.
• The NeurOptics Pupillometer has been designed to produce minimal risk to the user and the patient. The only mechanical contact with the patient is the eye cup, and all levels of radiation fall below the threshold values recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection.

For More Information

To learn more about the NeurOptics Pupillometer, call (800) 234-2174, send an e-mail to special_services@BD.com, or visit www.bd.com/ophthalmology on the Web.