instrument focus

Double Your Measure

Devices offer accuracy and efficiency.

WILLIAM C. MCMILLIN, O.D.

Roughly three years ago, I decided to upgrade my ophthalmoscope and retinoscope to Heine’s Beta 200 versions, and I have found them to be a positive addition for both my practice and my patients.

Overview

The Beta 200 Ophthalmoscope provides aspherical optics — separation of illumination and observation beam, which redirects corneal reflections away from the field of view — with a range of 27 lenses from -35.00D to +40.00D. It affords seven apertures and has both a redfree and cobalt blue filter, which I have found helpful, for instance, when distinguishing between a choroidal nevus and a retinal hemorrhage.

The Beta 200 Retinoscope uses a polarizing filter that eliminates internal reflections without dimming illumination. The result is a bright, crisp reflex.

Both instruments are interchangeable on the same handle, allowing for easy transition between them. Also, both devices use XHL Xenon Halogen Technology for a bright, white light, which allows me to use them in low or bright outside illumination — the latter of which is helpful when outside on a missionary trip.

Procedure

When using the ophthalmoscope, I have the patient focus on a fixation light. Then, I activate the instrument with the push of a button, set it to “plano,” and adjust it accordingly as I examine the retina. The ophthalmoscope’s optics and illumination system allow me to get up close and personal to see the retina in great detail.

The retinoscope uses a similar process and is very quick and easy to use. If I am examining a patient in the office and also have access to a phoropter, I use the streak retinoscope to easily determine the patient’s prescription and astigmatism axis. I have found this instrument keeps me from over-correcting my patients, and overall, it saves me time. Further, both the Beta 200 Ophthalmoscope and Retinoscope work well on patients who have small pupils, thanks to their reflection, light and optics. I can quickly look at a patient without needing to dilate him/her, which has proven very helpful when examining children.

Training

Heine’s national team of sales representatives and authorized distributor reps are available for training and support.

Being familiar with how ophthalmoscopes and retinoscopes work, I adapted to the Beta 200 very quickly without training.

Return on investment

Pricing is available from Heine’s network of trained and certified distributors. Personally, I was very impressed by the Beta 200’s price considering the quality.

With handheld instruments, it’s hard to determine ROI. However, a key factor of the Heine Beta 200 instruments is their lifetime service guarantee. While I own the devices, I never pay for service should anything ever go wrong.

I have also traveled with both instruments for school screenings and missionary trips and have found them to be invaluable.

Enhanced patient service

All optometrists want to see more patients and be more efficient when doing so.

The Beta 200 Ophthalmoscope and Retinoscope have made my job more efficient, which allows me to provide a better service to my patients. OM

DR. MCMILLIN PRACTICES AT MCMILLIN EYECARE IN KINGSPORT, TENN. SEND COMMENTS TO OPTOMETRIC MANAGEMENT@GMAIL.COM.