Instrumental Strategies
The New Handheld
Take advantage of today's technology with this portable, handheld instrument.
By Gregg L. Ossip, O.D.

While some things today (such as fast food value meals) are increasing in size, other things (such as technological devices) are getting smaller and smaller. We've all witnessed the trend of large, bulky instruments slowly becoming smaller and more portable. And now we have instruments that fit in the palm of our hands. Hard to believe, but it's true.

This portable, handheld technology keeps getting faster and smaller, just like the trend in computers. Marco Technologies' Palm-Automatic Refractor/Keratometer (ARK-30) helps you quickly and conveniently acquire refraction and keratometric data. I'll explain how.

The new technology

When using Marco's Palm-ARK, you can move from room to room to perform readings. You can take readings from the screen display or print them out through Marco's infrared printer communication. The Palm-ARK uses automatic fogging with automatic measurement.

The instrument comes standard with four fuses, four rolls of printer paper, power cord, dust cover, battery, cable (mounting base) and a hand strap.

Palm-ARK in action

The Marco Palm-ARK is easy to use. The video monitor displays the patient's eye just like your video camera does. The instrument lines up the eye and automatically starts taking incredibly accurate readings.

Once you've taken the readings from each eye, place the instrument in its holding cradle and it will automatically print out the results through an infrared system. If you use Marco's Epic-2100 Refracting System, the information will also transfer right into it. The Palm-ARK also integrates with the TRS-2100 Refraction System.

The Palm-ARK is fast, with a measuring time of approximately 0.2 seconds. Without special training, our staff was able to learn and use the Palm-ARK within minutes.

Why handheld?

Square footage costs are on the rise, which is why the Palm-ARK is wonderful for most offices. Gone will be the days of large preliminary exam rooms as portable, handheld instruments increase in popularity. The portability advantages of the Palm-ARK are many.

For example, if you work with patients in nursing homes, you could use the Palm-ARK to examine patients while they're lying down or sitting up. School screenings would no longer be tedious. The Palm-ARK will quickly tell you if a student has a refractive error that requires further examination. Also, optometrists who enjoy sports vision will find that the Palm-ARK helps them quickly determine not only refractive errors but also keratometric readings to fit athletes.

Don't miss out

This amazing new instrument can simplify the way you practice by allowing you to screen patients efficiently and conveniently. Plus, your staff and patients will enjoy its ease of use. Try it out for yourself and see what the Palm-ARK has to offer your practice.

DR. OSSIP IS IN GROUP PRACTICE IN INDIANAPOLIS. HE'S LECTURED EXTENSIVELY AND HAS WRITTEN NUMEROUS ARTICLES ON PRACTICE MANAGEMENT. YOU CAN REACH HIM BY E-MAIL AT GOSSIP2020@AOL.COM.