New eye exam technology improves productivity Published Dec. 28, 2007 By Brandice Armstrong 72nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- A new piece of equipment at the 72nd Medical Group optometry clinic is eliminating the need to dilate a patient's eyes for an exam, which will save the Air Force lost man-hours. Air Force Materiel Command provided the clinic with an early Christmas present, an Optos 2000, a low-powered scanning laser ophthalmoscope. By not having to dilate eyes, officials project the device will save more than 72,000 hours each year in lost production and downtime. "This is so important for our flying population," said Dr. (Maj.) Judy Manno, optometry services flight commander and practicing optometrist. "When we put in drops to dilate and check the retina, it precludes flying duty for 24 hours, which is a lot of downtime when you add it all up." Capt. Jade Texcell, 72nd MDG optometrist, said in particular, about 3,000 Tinker flyers will benefit from this technological advancement. "The Optos digitally scans the retina, the interior lining of the eyeball, (and) creates an Optomap, a digitalized image of the retina," Captain Texcell said. "Since no dilating drops are required, the patient can drive home, return to work, and aircrew members are not 'DNIF'd' -- duty not to include flying." Once the digital image of the retina uploads, which takes mere minutes, doctors and technicians can determine retinal lesions and spot early signs of diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and retinal tears. "If we didn't dilate the pupil or do a scan and you looked through an un-dilated pupil, that's all you would see, about 20 percent of the retina," Dr. Manno said. "With the scanner and without dilation, you can see the whole thing, up to a 200-degree field." Optos will not entirely eliminate the need for dilations. Initial dilated eye exams are required, as well as updates every three to four years. But, the Optomap Retinal Exam can be used in the years in between. Captain Texcell said the Optomap Retinal Exam does not hurt and takes only seconds to do. "Nothing touches the eye," she said. "It is a safe procedure, which all patients including children, can have in order to ensure there are no unknown problems of the eye."