How do you get your patients talking about your practice in 2004? The answer is digital photography!

There has never been a better time to jump into the world of Digital Photography. Lower costs and better technology have brought  Digital Photography into the realm of just about every practitioner that wants to provide the most up-to-date service. The Topcon TRC-NW6 non-mydriatic retinal camera and the SL-D7 digital slit lamp now provide practitioners with the opportunity to photograph the eye with resolutions never before possible.

So why is this so appealing? I see the benefits of adding Digital Photography to your practice to be threefold.

Firstly, there is the benefit of clinical excellence. There is obviously less chance of missing something of clinical relevance if you can photograph the eye and be able to take the time to analyse the high-definition image in light of your other findings, even when the patient has left your rooms. As optometrists, we’ve all had the experience of finding something that we’re not sure is of relevance, and want to take a little time to consider the case. Digital Photography makes this possible and the software that comes with Topcon cameras allow images to be manipulated to enhance the diagnosis with capabilities like red-free analysis, without alteration of the original image. When an opinion is sought from another practitioner, the image can even be emailed if an immediate response is required without necessarily referring the patient immediately. This is not the future … this is now!

Secondly, the benefits that result from a patient impressed by Digital Photography in a practice are immeasurable. Most patients nowadays have some knowledge of Digital Photography and know that it involves the latest technology, but few at this stage have seen it being applied by a practitioner. The perception, which here is also the reality, is that their optometrist is keeping up-to-date with the state-of-the-art hi-tech equipment and the “wow” factor that results from this cannot be overstated. Patients just love to think that you are using the best instrumentation to assist in their optometric care. The digital image of their eye can be viewed on a monitor instantly, and an optometrist that involves the patient by taking the time to explain some simple features of the image during an examination greatly reinforces this perception. Topcon has gone to great lengths to ensure that their instruments are not only built to the highest standards but that they are also attractive to patients. There is no “surgical” look about them to unsettle the patient and the fact that superb digital images of the fundus can be achieved without mydriasis further enhances the patient’s comfort. As a promotional tool for their practice, some optometrists even give patients an image of their eyes to take with them, which can be either be a printed photograph or a CD that the patient can then view on the image browser of their own PC.

The final benefit of Digital Photography to the optometrist is the efficiency it affords the practitioner. All images are seamlessly captured through Topcon’s interface with the more popular practice management systems such as Sunix Vision and Optomate so that there is no need to duplicate the entry of patient data. Captured images can be viewed instantaneously and saved or deleted accordingly, eliminating the wastage that inevitably occurred with the old technology involving film and processing. Don’t get me wrong – I understand that traditional film cameras still have some appeal in some fashion and artistic fields of photography, but when it comes to clinical capture Digital Photography is the only way to go! Once the practitioner accepts a captured image, it then becomes a digital record that is permanently filed on the hard-drive of the PC without the need to actually print images on paper. Each day, a simple backup of all images along with the rest of the practice data achieves complete security of records. Optical Manufacturers will configure your system to easily compare images taken today with those taken in the past, further increasing the clinical capabilities for longitudinal patient care.

Recent advances in technology have also allowed practitioners to add Digital Photography to their practice with a minimum of fuss. Very little time is required to learn how to use the technology so optometrists taking delivery of an instrument with digital capabilities from Optical Manufacturers are usually able to take quality images within the hour. The equipment is simple to use and the software interface with the computer and practice management system is so user-friendly that a practitioner requires only a rudimentary knowledge of the computer.

Many practitioners have held off embracing the technology for fear that new equipment will quickly be out-of date, but this is no longer valid now that Topcon instruments have been substantially future-proofed. This has been achieved by separating the part of the system that actually captures the image form the rest of the system. For example, the Topcon TRC-NW6 fundus camera is the state-of the-art non-mydriatic retinal camera currently available to optometrists. A six megapixel image* can be captured on this system via an attached Nikon D100 digital camera, which itself only accounts for less than 20% the purchase price. As technology improves, as it will undoubtedly will, capture devices with higher resolution capabilities will become available. By simply replacing the capture device, optometrists will be able to keep abreast of future improvements in resolution. Only the capture device will need to be replaced, thus protecting your original investment in the instrument.

It is only a matter of time before all optometrists will have digital photography in their practices. Embrace of the new technology will not only add to your confidence with detection and diagnosis of eye conditions and make your clinical records more efficient and complete. It will increase the likelihood that new patients will hear about your practice, not about your competitors, which is important now that patients have more choice to shop around for their optometrist. Used effectively, DP provides us with a timely opportunity to engender loyalty amongst patients who recognize and value excellence in the care of their eyes. Once you introduce it into your practice, you will never look back!

A six megapixel image will allow an A4 size photograph to be printed, without loss of clarity of the image.