Clarkson Eyecare is focused on you and your eye health, which is why we utilize only the most up-to-date technology in the eye care field.

Electronic Medical Records

Technology is always advancing. In the future, medical practices will be required to have all charts in electronic format.  Clarkson Eyecare is proud to lead the way with Electronic Medical Records (EMR) made possible through software developed from the input of our own doctors. Appointments, insurance verification, billing, inventory and the eye exam are all done electronically with the software our doctors and staff developed. We are not the only eye care practice that thinks this is great. Others trust in its use and have done so since 2006 when we began marketing our software to other practices. Clarkson Eyecare utilizes an electronic exam form, which is an exact replica of and takes the place of our current paper exam form. Instead of writing exam findings on paper, everything is entered into the computer using dropdown fields and menus, for improved efficiency of your records and the quality of eye care you receive. The elimination of paper files is also one of the ways we give back to our environment.

Any diagnostic tests performed in a Clarkson Eyecare office, including a GDx, visual field or retinal photos are transferred electronically, for ease of access to your records. Doctors and referred doctors have the ability to transfer digital images quickly for more reliable access to your medical records as quick as the click of a mouse. No more faxing medical records between offices, which eliminates the risk of poor visibility and offers more accurate prescription interpretation and diagnostic accuracy.

With less time being spent on paper charts, more time is allowed for taking care of you, which is what we do best.

Digital Retinal Photography

Every Clarkson Eyecare office is equipped with digital photography, the latest technology in retinal imagery used in vision care. This new technology assists your doctor to determine if there are any signs of high blood pressure, diabetes, cataracts, glaucoma, congenital anomalies, and many other eye diseases. Your doctor will compare these photos to previous photos during your annual eye exam; if further evaluation is necessary your doctor can measure areas of concern, zoom in or even export and email images to referring doctors.

Pachymetry

Pachymetry gives the doctor the ability to catch and begin treatment for problems such as glaucoma and ocular hypertension before they cause permanent damage. Pachymetry is useful in monitoring the progression of certain disorders that cause the cornea to become thickened (or filled with water), resulting in a loss of vision.

A pachymeter is a device that uses ultrasound to determine the thickness of the cornea. A pachymetry reading for a normal eye is 550 microns. When this number is significantly above or below the norm, it indicates that a patient's corneal thickness is abnormal.

Pachymetry is an essential measurement prior to the refractive surgical procedure, LASIK. During LASIK, the surgeon must remove tissue from the cornea. Therefore, pachymetry is important to be certain that the cornea will retain enough central tissue thickness to prevent ectasia, an abnormal "bowing" of thin corneas.

GDx®

Clarkson Eyecare has now introduced new technology for the detection of glaucoma before it even starts. The GDx Nerve Fiber Analyzer provides the earliest possible detection of glaucoma. There is hope. If detected early, glaucoma can be controlled and vision can be preserved. GDx provides a fast, comfortable and non-intrusive way to catch and track glaucoma in its early stages. GDx features exclusive polarimetry technology that measures the retinal nerve fiber layer of the eye. "This is a significant breakthrough compared to existing tests. The standard pressure check is ineffective for detecting glaucoma in half of the patients diagnosed with the disease," says Dr. James Wachter, Chief Professional Officer for Clarkson Eyecare. The GDx exam is a short and painless procedure that requires no eye dilation because the eye is never actually touched. A safe infrared light scans the back of your eye and acquires an image in less than one second. The result of the GDx exam is a color-coded "thickness map" of the nerve fiber layer at the back of your eye. This provides our experts with vital insight that otherwise could not have been detected.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness in the U.S with over 67 million people affected worldwide. Yet, approximately 2 million Americans are unaware they have the disease and still others will be diagnosed only when it is too late to save their vision. Glaucoma, often called the "silent thief of sight," has no noticeable symptoms and no cure. “With this technology we have the opportunity to save sight that would have been lost without early detection. Anyone with risk factors should make an appointment at Clarkson Eyecare to have the GDx exam,” says Dr. Wachter.

Humphrey Visual Field Test

A visual field is a test used to evaluate the peripheral vision of a patient.  This differs from a vision test, which determines quantity of central vision only.  A visual field test tells the doctor how far in the periphery and at what sensitivity the eye can see.  When you look at something, you not only see the object you are looking at, but you can see all around it. The area that you can see, without moving your head or eye, is called your visual field. It extends from the object you are looking at, to about 95 degrees out to either side, 60 degrees upward, 75 degrees downward and 60 degrees toward your nose. This test can reveal changes in your vision which you may not be aware of and is used to detect specific diseases such as glaucoma and certain optic nerve disorders. The visual field test is done using a piece of equipment called a visual field screener of which there are many types. The visual field test can be a good indication of the health of your eyes, the whole visual system and parts of the brain as well. The test is performed one eye at a time and usually takes 3 to 5 minutes per eye