When patients come to our office for eye exams, many times there is testing that we do to help us diagnosing problems.  One of these tests uses Optical Coherence Tomography, or OCT.   Pictures taken with our OCT machine are generated by light waves that reflect off the back of the eye or retina, creating images similar to what could be produced by a low power microscope. The OCT also provides cross-sectional images.   These images can display the various layers of the retina.  This technology is also used to image the optic nerve, which is important in glaucoma treatment and management.

OCT is a non-invasive and no-contact test that doesn't require preparation from the patient. There is no exposure to radiation since the machine uses light to obtain the images.  The patient sits in front of a machine, a couple of bright flashes like a normal camera flash go off, and then the photos can be viewed on the machine within a minute.

The OCT is an extremely valuable tool used to help diagnose and manage common retinal eye diseases such as macular degeneration, macular edema (fluid in the retina), and macular hole/epiretinal membranes. We use the initial OCT images to aid in making a definitive diagnosis.  The OCT compares these initial images of your eye to a database of images of normal eyes matched to your age. In this way, the first OCT images we take can help point out potential issues if there is something that looks different from normal or average.  Subsequent OCT images can then compare how you look now compared to how you looked initially.  This can be very valuable in gauging how well treatment is working or if the problem is progressing.

The other common use of the OCT is for monitoring and managing glaucoma.  We usually take initial images of the optic nerve, and the OCT can then compare these images to those of age-matched healthy control patients.  The OCT will usually be repeated every year so we can follow any changes or progression over time.

The advent of OCT has revolutionized the way we evaluate the retina because we can now detect subtle findings not otherwise easily seen during clinical exams. This makes the OCT one of the most valuable tests we can do in our office.

LASIK, a form of refractive surgery, is an popular option for vision correction, often eliminating the need to wear glasses or contact lenses. Simply put, LASIK reshapes the cornea with a laser.

Other surgical alternatives have become available. Among these is a technique called phakic IOL implantation which involves implanting a lens behind the cornea, but in front of the iris. With this new option, many of those who were too highly nearsighted for LASIK are now candidates for refractive surgery.

If you are interested in refractive surgery, please let us know. Refractive surgery is not to be taken lightly. Detailed testing is necessary to determine whether or not you are a good candidate for the surgery.  If testing shows you to be a good candidate, we can help you choose the refractive surgeon who is most appropriate for your case. In addition, we provide post-operative care for refractive surgery. 

Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT) is a great advancement in refractive therapy options. CRT allows you to see clearly during the day without glasses or contact lenses. Specially designed therapeutic lenses gently reshape the front surface of your eye while you sleep.

Imagine great vision all day without contacts, glasses, or surgery. No more problems from dust, allergies, or dryness. CRT has also been shown to slow the progression of nearsightedness in children and teenagers.

Previously, if you were nearsighted and wanted to see clearly during the day, your options were glasses, contacts, or laser surgery. CRT offers a non-surgical solution. No more worry about broken frames or torn contact lenses. Additionally, while LASIK is usually recommended only for those over 18 years of age, CRT is ideal for our younger patients who are active in sports and do not like the hassle of glasses or contacts.

For more information on Corneal Refractive Therapy, call today to schedule your FREE CRT consultation or visit Paragon at www.paragoncrt.com.

In our continued efforts to bring the most advanced technology available to our patients, Dr. Peter Fong is proud to announce the inclusion of the Optomap Retinal Exam as an integral part of your eye exam.

Many eye problems can develop without warning and progress with no symptoms. Early on, you might not notice any change in your vision. However, diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinal tears or detachments, as well as other health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure, can often be detected with a thorough exam of the retina. The retina is the part of your eye that catches the image of what you are looking at, similar to the film in a camera.

An Optomap Retinal Exam provides:

• A scan to confirm a healthy eye or detect the presence of disease.
• An overview or map of the retina, giving your eye doctor a more detailed view than he can achieve by other means.
• The opportunity for you to view and discuss the Optomap images of your eye with your doctor at the time of your exam.
• A permanent record for your medical file, enabling your optometrist to make important comparisons if potential problems show themselves at a future examination.