New, state-of-the-art optometric equipment donated by FDC Foundation improves patient care and clinical education
A patient walking into the imaging suite at the interim location of the Waterloo Eye Institute sees an impressive-looking array of equipment. An optometrist sees tools to more deeply examine the eye to better diagnose, understand and treat a range of ocular diseases and conditions.
Four new pieces of equipment have recently been added to the imaging suite and one to the Ocular Disease Service, thanks to a donation of nearly $800,000 by the FDC Foundation, which supports charitable organizations in the areas of health, education and housing.
The tools allow for sophisticated imaging of the retina at the back of the eye and the cornea at the front of the eye, as well as measuring factors, such as the length of the eyeball, that affect the progression of myopia, or nearsightedness. One piece of equipment adds a new dimension to the treatment of dry eye disease.
“We’re immensely grateful to FDC Foundation for their support in purchasing this equipment,” said Dr. Andre Stanberry, clinic director. “Not only do these tools enhance patient care in our clinic, but they also serve as an educational opportunity for all current and future optometry students on the latest innovations in imaging technology.”
The new pieces of equipment are:
- A Heidelberg Spectralis, an optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography tool that images the tiny blood vessels in the retina and choroid. Useful in the diagnosis and understanding of retinal conditions including diabetic retinopathy, dry/wet age-related macular degeneration, vascular occlusions, etc.
- A Heidelberg Anterion, an anterior segment (front of the eye) OCT tool that brings together corneal topography and tomography, biometry measurements and intra-ocular lens calculation. It aids with cornea and glaucoma diagnostics.
- An IOL Master 700, a combined biometry instrument that uses laser technology to non-invasively measure axial length, corneal curvature and the depth of the anterior chamber of the eye. This device is essential to predicting future myopia, assessing pathological risk of current myopic error, and for baseline record to monitor myopia progression and control.
- An Oculus Pentacam AXL Wave, the first device to combine Scheimpflug tomography with axial length, total wavefront, refraction and retroillumination. Its combination of hardware and software can detect irregularities in the surface of the cornea, screen for glaucoma, evaluate cataracts and more.
- A Lumenis Optilight, which introduces intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy into our Ocular Disease Service and will enhance education by exposing students and clinicians to cutting-edge dry eye treatments. It provides hands-on training and preparing students to integrate advanced therapies into their future practices. Clinically, IPL offers effective management of meibomian gland dysfunction, improves patient outcomes and creates opportunities for interdisciplinary care and research.
The equipment is now in use at the 419 C Phillip Street location where the School of Optometry and Vision Science has moved its Waterloo clinic while the Waterloo Eye Institute is under construction. The equipment will be moved to its permanent location at 200 Columbia St. W. once the Waterloo Eye Institute opens in late 2026.