The design of conventional visual field instruments means that airborne particles will be transmitted into the bowl of the instrument which makes these instruments difficult to thoroughly disinfect between patients.
The Digital Fields Screener by Thomson Software Solutions uses a conventional computer screen to assess central visual fields. This circumvents many of the issues with conventional instruments.
Using Thomson Test charts for remote testingCurrent guidelines on Social Distancing have made it difficult (or impossible) for patients to attend a clinic to have their visual acuity checked.
The good news is that the Thomson Test Chart may be used in association with video-conferencing software (e.g. Zoom or Teams) to assess the vision of patients in their homes or other remote locations.
Outline instructions:
- Create a meeting and send the patient a meeting invitation link.
- Add the patient to the meeting when they log in. You can then welcome them and explain the procedure by video link.
- Run the Thomson Test Chart software on your computer and select Share screen in the video-conferencing app
- Select Options … Screen calibration within the Test Chart software. This will display a large letter E on the patient’s screen which they should measure on their screen using a ruler. You then enter this value into the Test Chart software along with the longest viewing distance that they can achieve from their computer (e.g. 250 cm). The letter size will then be correctly calibrated for the patient’s screen size and viewing distance.
- The patient then stands (or sits) at the required distance from their screen while you display an appropriate test chart. The patient can be given appropriate instructions and encouragement via the videolink while you can monitor that they are following those instructions.
Trials have shown that the accuracy and test/retest repeatability of this approach is similar to that for measurements taken in the clinic.
Phoropter interfaceTrial frames have served us well for hundreds of years! However, they are difficult to disinfect and require the practitioner to be in close proximity to the patient.
Modern computerised phoropters provide an excellent alternative and while most link to some form of projector or electronic test chart, these do not offer the same ease of use and variety of tests as the Thomson Test Chart.
The good news is that you can control the Nidek RT5100/ RT6100 and the Topcon CV5000 phoropter directly from the Thomson Test Chart using our optional Phoropter Control module.
This means that you can have the world’s most powerful Test Chart and complete control of your phoropter from within the same slick interface. Simply click on the sphere, cyl or axis required and use the mouse wheel to rapidly dial up the required prescription. Rapidly select cross-cyls, prisms, occluders, auxilliary lenses etc. The graphics on the screen means that you know exactly what lenses are in front of the patient’s eyes which eases the transition from trial frame to phoropter.
Beacuase the same software controls the Test Chart and the Phoropter you can co-ordinate the two – inserting corresponding lenses when certain tests are selected and vice versa. We can also link to many Electronic Record Systems allowing the patient’s prescription to be imported directly to the phoropter then exported back into the the patient’s record.
Features
- Simultaneous control of Test Chart and Phoropter
- Link charts to certain lens selections and vice versa
- Link to patient management systems
- Programmable lens and chart selections to automate your routine
- Memory scratch pad to store various prescriptions while refracting
- Built in prescription database