Instrumental Strategies
Finding the Threshold
Take visual fields with ease using this new perimeter.

Gregg Ossip, O.D.

Until now, time and other constraints have probably deterred you from threshold testing patients on the spot. But you can change that with a new perimeter from Haag-Streit.

My father purchased one of the first automated perimeters in 1978 and within a few months, had discovered his first patient with a tumor. That's why it's important to screen for visual fields on all patients at every annual exam. Until you've performed visual fields on a patient, you don't know whether he needs testing.

Haag-Streit's new perimeter, the Octopus.

The new technology

Haag-Streit's Octopus 300 Series of perimeters is ideal for routine screening and threshold exams. The Octopus 301, one of two models in the 300 series, represents the 6th generation of perimeters.

The Octopus 301 comes standard with blue/yellow perimetry, a selection of user-defined test parameters for experimental or clinical studies, and an Ethernet connection with built-in network adapter. It also features capacity for further tests including flicker and color perimetry, pupillometry, Ganzfeld flicker and Amsler chart.

System features

The Octopus 301 has all the features important to you as an optometrist, and patients will appreciate the device's speed and accuracy. Among the features:

• 100% eye fixation control. If fixation is lost, the device doesn't present stimuli. This is an exclusive feature of the Octopus.
• Diagnostic programs with test stages prioritizing the most crucial field areas.
• Optional fast software provides for significantly shorter exams, which avoids errors caused by patient and retinal fatigue.
• Continuous measurement of the pupil size allows accurate assessment and comparison of data.
• Free rotating exam unit permits operation from all sides for use in tight spaces
• Simple operation using a color input screen guided by a dialogue in any language
• Portability and compact size (45 cm footprint)
• Memory for 60 exams
• With the optional Tendency Oriented Perimetry (TOP) test strategy, a full threshold examination takes less than 2 1/2 minutes
• Electronic eye fixation adjustment without disturbing the patient
• The seven-in-one printout presents complete information for assessment of results.

What's more, patients are encouraged to blink regularly without the risk of introducing erroneous results. During the exam, a real-time display of statistical data provides information about the patient's visual field status. You can interrupt the test procedure at any time and continue later without losing the data.

The device also provides a built-in training program that shortens the learning process. You can easily update the software to the latest version by exchanging a software module or downloading information from the Internet.

Because the computer isn't built into the perimeter, you can upgrade your computer at any time.

Don't miss out

The Octopus 301 will change the way you use perimetry. Besides creating a high-tech image for your office, it will help your patients follow through on their follow-up fields rather than dread them.

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.