Letter from Chief Optometric Editor

Walter D. West, O.D., F.A.A.O.

Dear colleague,

Publishing the Diagnostic Instrument Buying Guide has become such a regular event that practitioners everywhere look for it each year to help guide the purchase of new equipment for their practices. I believe you'll find the 2008 buying guide to be the best yet. It's a great source of information for the latest equipment, and it's a useful guide to learn about the most recent trends in digital diagnostic instrumentation.

In the article, "Digital Imaging Soars to the Next Level," you can read about the value of implementing an integrated image network. You'll learn how practitioners are using ophthalmic digital image management and advanced communication systems to improve accessibility to patient records and assist in the diagnosis and management of ocular disease. In addition, you'll gain insight into the challenges that lie ahead in standardizing data and image formats to facilitate the communication of data electronically.

With the evolution of spectral domain OCT (SDOCT), there's a new gold standard for imaging the anterior and posterior segments. The article, "The Evolution of Spectral Domain OCT," compares SDOCT and time domain OCT instrumentation in several areas, focusing on faster speed, higher resolution and registration. You'll learn how SDOCT is revolutionizing early diagnosis and management of age-related macular degeneration, macular edema and other pathologies routinely diagnosed and managed, or comanaged, in optometric practices.

Don't miss the article, "Applying Anterior Segment Imaging in Practice," which discusses the emerging technologies that have come to the forefront. You'll learn about the latest anterior segment imaging equipment that can help you manage patients with corneal disease, glaucoma, cataracts and those who are preparing to undergo refractive surgery. The use of anterior segment digital imaging equipment is a significantly superior method of record-keeping compared with the chart notes and drawings of years' past. Serial evaluations of patients with this imaging technology afford you, the clinician, an unparalleled advantage in disease management and treatment.

I believe that you'll find the 2008 Diagnostic Instrument Buying Guide to be a valuable resource for all of your equipment-purchasing decisions and future investment planning. Capital investments made in diagnostic equipment offer great rewards to your patients in the form of better care, to your practice as an opportunity to expand the scope of care you provide, and they yield a high return that benefits you, your practice, and most importantly, your patients.

Sincerely,

Walter D. West, O.D., F.A.A.O.
Chief Optometric Editor