AMA Optics Announces New Panoramic Pinhole - Shows Patients What to Expect From Cataract Surgery
Accurately informing patients of what can be gained from cataract surgery lessens the risk of a poor outcome. For the first time patients can clearly see the improvement they can expect from cataract surgery. The Panoramic Pinhole expands the benefit of the Retinal Acuity Meter (RAMŽ, AMA Optics, Inc) by providing them a side-by-side comparison of their current vision and the vision they can expect from cataract surgery. The RAMŽ alone measures the maximum underlying visual capacity of the eye and the Panoramic Pinhole adds a side-by-side comparison of the current vision to the maximum attainable vision. Miami Beach, Fla. (PRWEB) August 25, 2008 -- AMA Optics announces a new Panoramic Pinhole, showing patients what they can expect from cataract surgery.
The ancient pinhole, credited to Philosopher Mo Ti in the 5th century, BC is a small aperture in an opaque material that eliminates the peripheral light rays and lessens optical aberrations to allow clear focus without a focusing lens. A disadvantage of the ancient pinhole is that the opaque material surrounding the pinhole limits the field of view. This limitation is overcome by the Panoramic Pinhole invented by Albert J. Hofeldt, MD.
The Panoramic Pinhole is an optically clear disc with each pinhole aperture bordered by an opaque ring that provides the benefit of universal focus. The optically clear space between the pinholes shows the viewer the current vision of the eye while the view through the pinholes shows the maximum underlying visual capacity of the eye when viewing the eye chart of the RAMŽ. The juxtaposition of pinhole and clear space allows side-by-side comparison of the current vision to the best vision that can be expected from surgery.
A patient that exemplifies the advantage of using the Panoramic Pinhole while taking the RAMŽ test is William Taylor of NYC, who prior to deciding to undergo cataract surgery, said, "The letters are much darker and clearer through the pinhole than between the pinholes; I now clearly see the benefit of removing my cataract." After surgery he commented, "The test is a marvel and only takes a moment. It gave me courage to have the surgery and I can see as clearly as predicted." The side-by-side comparison of current and underlying visual capacity of the eye demonstrates to patients what can be realistically expected from surgery.
Measuring the underlying visual capacity of the eye is not a prerequisite for cataract surgery. The standard of care for approving cataract surgery is the degree of vision loss and the physician's estimation that surgery will improve vision based upon the appearance of the eye. It is a matter of fact that the physical appearance cannot assess function. A healthy appearing eye can function poorly and an abnormal appearing eye can function well. The common omission of testing the underlying visual capacity of the eye is likely due to the relatively high success rate of cataract surgery.
The odds favor a good outcome; however, to determine if an individual will benefit from surgery, a test of the underlying visual capacity of the eye is required. A user of the RAMŽ, Dr Lone D. Kapner of Escondido, California, said, "In two days of clinical use, the RAM has turned into one of those 'How did I ever practice without it' type of devices." He went on to say, "It better helps to predict surgical outcomes." In a survey of RAM users, 100% said the RAM reduced poor surgical outcomes. Reducing poor outcomes means reducing risk, and that is what the RAMŽ does. The addition of the Panoramic Pinhole now allows patients to clearly visualize what they stand to gain.
If you'd like more information about the Panoramic Pinhole or the RAMŽ, or to schedule an interview with Dr. Hofeldt, contact Tom Minero or visit www.amaoptics.com.
AMA Optics, Inc., founded in 2001 by Dr. Albert. J. Hofeldt, manufactures hand-held ophthalmic diagnostic instruments. In 2005 Frost and Sullivan honored AMA Optics, Inc. as the Entrepreneurial Company of the Year for Ocular Diagnostic Devices. Web site: www.amaoptics.com
Contact:
Tom Minero, Director of Marketing
AMA Optics, Inc.
877-744-3937
tsm @ amaoptics.com
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