The integration of advanced technology such as the Optopol PTS 2000 Automated Projection Perimeter is just one of the ways optometrist Janine Hobson is ensuring her rural community receives the best possible care, close to home.
In the heart of Young in New South Wales, a bustling optometry practice is setting the standard for rural eyecare. Young Eyes – owned and operated by experienced optometrist Ms Janine Hobson – has been a fixture in the community for 21 years, providing essential eye health services to a region where specialist care is often hours away.
Recently, the practice has taken a significant leap forward by integrating cutting-edge visual field-testing technology, enhancing its ability to detect and manage glaucoma within a broader comprehensive eyecare framework.
Hobson’s dedication to her community is evident in her range of services. The practice has become a critical hub for patients requiring advanced diagnostics, so she says it is important to have the right tools and a comprehensive service offering beyond routine eye exams to meet these needs.
“Given that we don’t have an ophthalmologist within a couple of hours of us, we do quite a bit of specialty work,” she says.
Hobson recently complemented her already-impressive suite of diagnostics with a PTS 2000 Automated Projection Perimeter developed by Polish firm Optopol, the same manufacturer behind the popular REVO OCT. OptiMed imports and distributes the technology in Australia, with Hobson saying the intuitive software allows practitioners to seamlessly integrate OCT and visual field results, generating a quick and comprehensive structure-function report on a single page.
The introduction of the new visual field-testing device at Young Eyes was a carefully considered move, given that many specialists and staff were accustomed to the old machine.
“When our old visual field machine started to not function so well, we looked into alternatives. The integration with our OCT device was a big drawcard for us because it allows us to do structure and function analysis for both eyes together. That’s a significant advantage in diagnosing and monitoring conditions like glaucoma,” Hobson says.
However, the learning curve, according to Hobson, is justified by its standout features such as its ability to recheck points during the test if a patient misses them – a capability that was not available previously.
This is facilitated by the PTS 2000’s high resolution camera which precisely monitors patient compliance via a blink control feature. This has proven invaluable for Hobson, particularly during threshold tests where accuracy is paramount.
Moreover, the PTS 2000’s ability to perform specialised tests – such as those for ptosis –has been a significant upgrade.
“It has a superior test that lets us check for patients whose eyelids are interfering with their vision,” she says, adding that this is useful in a practice handling a high volume of neurological assessments.
For Hobson, the primary motivation behind the upgrade has always been the improved care she can offer patients.
“For us, especially being in a rural area, the ability to do these tests locally and manage patients’ care without them needing to travel is invaluable,” she says. “A lot of our patients are co-managed because it’s just too far for them to travel to see an ophthalmologist regularly. This machine helps us ensure that nothing is progressing with their condition.”
Young Eyes has always tried to position itself at forefront of advanced primary eyecare, despite the challenges of operating in a rural setting. The new visual field-testing machine has only strengthened this position, offering enhanced capabilities that benefit both patients and practitioners.
Hobson says this would not have been possible without the support from OptiMed who installed the device in the practice that’s four hours from Sydney and two hours from Canberra.
“We’ve had great after-sales service from the team at OptiMed,” she says. “Given that we’re in a rural area, getting someone to come out for service can be tricky, but we haven’t had that problem with OptiMed. They’ve been very responsive, even providing us with extra training when we needed it.”
She recounted an instance where the practice had to perform a Superior-64 visual field test at the request of an ophthalmologist.
“We hadn’t done that particular test before, so we called OptiMed, and they walked us through setting it up. That kind of support is exactly what we need, especially when dealing with something new,” Hobson says.
As Young Eyes continues to adapt to the new technology, Hobson remains confident that it will lead to better outcomes for her patients.
“It’s been a learning curve, but the benefits far outweigh the challenges. We’re able to offer our patients a higher level of care, and that’s what matters most,” she says.
For other optometrists considering a similar upgrade, Hobson says as with all new pieces of equipment, it’s important to trial it first.
“We tried it out, and it made the transition much easier,” she adds. “From all our staff that use it, it’s been very quick, easy and seamless to introduce into our practice.”
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