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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