instrumental strategies
Pachymetry Made Even Easier
Accutome's latest pachymeter will save you time and impress patients.
RANDY GOLDMAN, O.D.

As all optometrists know by now, pachymetry has quickly become the standard of care in evaluating patients who have ocular hypertension and glaucoma. Pachymetry also is vital in the evaluation of refractive surgery candidates, as well as other corneal abnormalities.

Because of these considerations, I was recently looking around for a pachymeter that was easy to use, accurate and competitively priced. I was familiar with the earlier-generation Accutome pachymeters at the healthcare facility where I practice part time, and while they were easy to use, they didn't store, average or print readings. And so the search for my ideal pachymeter began.

Shopping around

I tested out two new models, loaned to me by my local ophthalmic instrument distributor. We're all familiar with the names of both of these products, and I expected to find them simple to use. However, I found that obtaining readings was tricky with the probes of both devices, and the perpendicular placement on the corneal apex required precision while slightly applanating the corneal surface. I even placed calls to both manufacturers and spoke to their technical support departments to see if I was using the instruments properly. It seemed that I was, but I still found that getting readings quickly was not as easy as I expected.

Finding the solution

My distributor didn't carry the Accutome line, so it wasn't until I came across a journal ad that I saw the company's new AccuPach V. I was immediately interested and excited to try it. The new, improved unit featured a touch screen control panel, voice-synthesized read outs (or, if you prefer, beep-only readings), storage of up to nine readings, automatically averaged, and easy conversion to adjusted IOP per averaged corneal thickness readings.

The AccuPach V measures only 9" x 8" x 3" and weighs less than five pounds; it has an adjustable carry handle, which also acts as an angled stand for easy viewing. Readings are incredibly easy to obtain. I can take multiple averaged readings per eye and record them in the patient's record in about one minute! In my opinion, the learning curve was short. In addition, the synthesized voice readouts impressed patients.

Accutome offers an optional printer that can easily port into the back of the unit. It provides a data printout with the date and time recorded. The Accupach V also qualifies for federal tax credit, because it's eligible under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) eligible.

No excuses

The Accupach V pachymeter is a winner. It's small, portable, accurate, easy to use, priced well and ADA tax-credit eligible. My patients are impressed with hearing their readings as I explain the test to them.

No optometric office should now have any excuse for not owning this unit and offering this valuable service to patients.

DR. GOLDMAN IS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE IN NEEDHAM, MASS., AND IS ON THE STAFF OF HARVARD VANGUARD MEDICAL ASSOCIATES IN THE BOSTON AREA.