Anterior Ocular Imaging

Published on
December 4, 2023
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Anterior imaging (imaging of the front of the eye) is vital for detecting and recording important information about your eye health, as well as for providing information about the shape of your eye in contact lens fittings. At Innovative Eye Care, we use the highest quality equipment using a variety of imaging methods across our Adelaide and Henley Beach practices, including the Pentacam AXL Wave, the Heidelberg Spectralis and standard slit lamp biomicroscopes with HD Canon photography.

As well as being useful in anterior imaging is very useful in order to photo document any unusual aspects of your eyes that might indicate disease or other abnormalities, such as pterygium, cataracts and keratoconus. Photos are also vital for tracking the healing of your eyes – for example, following a corneal infection. Your optometrist will show you the different photos in the exam room to explain more about your eyes and any ocular conditions you might have. As they say, a picture tells a thousand words!

Pentacam AXL Wave

The Pentacam AXL Wave uses Scheimpflug imaging to scan the tissues at the front of the eye. It maps the front and back corneal surfaces, as well as its thickness and volume. It also captures information about the anterior chamber (in particular its conformation and volume), and the anterior lens topography and density. Its ability to scan the anterior eye in extreme detail makes it ideal for use in managing complex disease and to design various custom-made contact lenses including orthokeratology, bespoke RGP and scleral lenses.

Anterior tomography being measured on a patient using a pentacam AXL wave
Figure 1. Pentacam AXL Wave in operation

Heidelberg Spectralis

The Heidelberg Spectralisis a state-of-the-art OCT machine that takes highly detailed cross-sectional scans of your eye. Typically used for imaging the optic nerve and retina at the back of the eye, the same principles can be applied to the cornea, sclera, iris and lens at the front of the eye. Its especially useful when assessing the fit of rigid contact lenses (namely scleral lenses) where the ‘landing zones’, or areas where the lens makes contact with the eye, can be manipulated for better comfort.

Anterior OCT being performed on a patient using a heidelberg OCT
Figure 2. Heidelberg Spectralis in operation

Slit Lamp Biomicroscopy

The slit-lamp biomicroscope is an indispensable tool in optometric practice, offering a magnified and well-illuminated view of the eye's anterior structures. It enables optometrists to conduct detailed examinations of the cornea, iris, lens, and anterior chamber, aiding in the diagnosis of various eye conditions such as corneal ulcers, cataracts, and glaucoma. Additionally, it plays a crucial role in contact lens fittings, ensuring comfort and proper alignment. This instrument is vital for assessing overall eye health, tracking disease progression, and educating patients through visual demonstrations.

Corneal examination being performed on a patient using a slit lamp biomicroscope
Figure 3. Slit Lamp Biomicroscope, examination of the anterior segment of the eye

Medmont E300

All of our consulting rooms at both practices are equipped with Medmont E300 corneal topographers, which give accurate mathematical information about the shape of the front of your eye, a feature that’s especially important for ortho-K and rigid lens wearers and in diagnosing refractive conditions like astigmatism, myopia and hyperopia.

Corneal topography being performed on a patient
Figure 4. Anterior topography being performed with a Medmont E300 topographer

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