At AVANT GARDE EYE CARE our eye doctor, Dr.Richard S. Stewart, utilizes the most up to date equipment and testing to diagnose and manage the status and health of your eyes. After all, an eye exam is much more than just getting checked for glasses.

OCULAR COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY (OCT)

What if your eye doctor could look at more than just the surface of the retina? What if he could look at what was going on beneath the surface? Between the different layers of the retina? That is what an OCT allows a doctor to do. Avant Garde Eye Care utilizes the Topcon 3D OCT which allows the retinal layers and optic nerve to be viewed in a cross section and in 3D. This allows for more accurate diagnosis and monitoring of conditions such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma.

A New Strategy in Determining Risk of Advanced Macular Degeneration: 

Macula Risk is a DNA test intended for patients who are over 65 and have a diagnosis of early or intermediate age related macular degeneration or AMD. Using the complete combination of AMD genes, and smoking history, Macula Risk identifies those most likely to progress to advanced AMD with vision loss.  Macula Risk is reimbursed by most insurances including Medicare. All that is needed is a cheek swab obtained in office. Macula Risk allows your eye doctor to classify you for appropriate monitoring as recommended by the AAO Preferred Practice Patterns – in an effort to detect asymptomatic macular degeneration at a treatable stage.

Advanced Topography

The Medmont E300 Corneal Topographer is a renowned market leader in corneal topography, offering superior patient comfort and accuracy and the robust features that come from working in the Medmont Studio integrated software environment.

E300 is a computerised Video-Keratometer, using Placido rings to map the surface of the human cornea. The results of patient exams can be used to assist in contact lens fitting, refractive surgery, orthokeratology and general assessment of the cornea.

The M&S computerized vision testing system is a high tech alternative to chart projectors. This computerized vision testing system is optimized with a variety of fully randomized charts, contrast sensitivty, and multimedia functions which deliver efficiency and exceptional patient care to the modern exam room.

The Konan Specular Microscope captures an image of the actual cells of the inner layer of the cornea, or endothelium. These cells can not be seen any other way. The endothelial cells are the physiological processors that keep the cornea healthy and clear. Any changes in the typically uniform mosaic of the endothelial layer can be indicative of corneal degeneration. Only an instrument like the Konan Specular Microscope can allow your doctor to catch such changes in the early stages. 

FORESEE PREFERENTIAL HYPERACUITY PERIMETER (PHP)

Blindeness is a terrible thing. Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness in people over 50.

Since the introduction of the Amsler Grid in 1947, the management of AMD has evolved substantially. New treatments for Wet AMD are now available that can preserve, and in some cases, return lost vision to patients. However, early detection remains the vital precursor to saving vision and maximizing treatment outcomes.

New treatments deserve new effective methods of detection. The Reichert Foresee PHP provides an unsurpassed level of sensitivity and specificity in detecting recent onset Wet AMD. It has revolutionized the way AMD is managed and ensures that treatment is begun as early as possible.

Adapt Dx
Structural changes (the appearance of drusen) in the retina are not always easily discernible. They often become evident only after Macular Degeneration has progressed from a subclinical state. Being able to identify the earliest Macular Degeneration biomarker with such accuracy will help improve your patients’ outcomes. It allows you to detect early Macular degeneration at the subclinical stage, at least three years before drusen are visible, when action can be taken to hopefully slow disease progression.

We are excited to be using the Firefly slitlamp to p provide to you the most accurate diagnosis.

Eyekinetix
We use the Eyekinetix to assess pupil reaction more accurately than just shining a pen light at the eyes.

ColorDx
We use ColorDX to assess color function associated with retinal disease (diabetes, macular degen, glaucoma, and others)