OCT – Now A Tool For The Comprehensive Ophthalmologist

Ocular Surgery News U.S. Edition, June 10, 2012

According to Richard L. Lindstrom, MD optical coherence tomography has moved from being a tool primarily utilized by the retina subspecialist to one increasingly present in the comprehensive ophthalmologist’s office.

Time-domain OCT (TD-OCT) is a non-contact test that can be done by an ophthalmic technician to image the optic nerve, macula or retina. The OCT (SD-OCT), which is a higher-speed, higher-definition instrument that gives even better images, allowing resolution that includes individual cell layers including the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), photoreceptors, as well as a larger area of the retina or macula. The newest SD-OCT algorithms even allow 3-D reconstructions.

New strides are occurring in TD-OCT and SD-OCT to interpret retinal and macular thickness, RPE elevation and drusen size/volume in microns. In the future, it is anticipated that even cellular metabolic rates will be measurable. And similar technology is being applied in the anterior segment, promising great advances in diagnostic capability.

The classical abnormalities in dry age–related macular degeneration include drusen formation, pigment dispersion/clumping and focal atrophy of the RPE. Each of these findings can be observed, documented and measured with OCT. In addition, with SD-OCT, drusen size and volume can be measured, and the actual RPE cells at the edge of an area of geographic atrophy can be seen, allowing one to measure the rate of progression. Photoreceptor atrophy and changes in the choriocapillaris often accompany these changes and can be visualized. In wet AMD, one can visualize the area where abnormal vessels penetrate Bruch’s membrane, causing fluid or blood to accumulate under the RPE and resulting in a pigment epithelial detachment (PED) or fluid accumulation in the subretinal space or within the retina. The size and volume of a PED can be measured, as can the overlying retinal thickness, potentially allowing earlier diagnosis and, when treated, monitoring of the response to therapy.

For the cataract surgeon, preoperative screening allows the detection of epiretinal membranes, vitreomacular traction syndrome, diabetic macular edema and rarer macular abnormalities such as macular schisis, resulting in proper preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative therapy and timely patient counseling. Postoperative macular thickness is a very useful tool in the diagnosis of postsurgical cystoid macular edema and is also helpful in monitoring the response to therapy. TD-OCT imaging and SD-OCT imaging of the optic nerve head are becoming a critical component in the early diagnosis of glaucoma and in monitoring the patient for early signs of progression.

Ophthalmology has always been heavily dependent on technology to enhance the diagnostic and treatment acumen of the clinician, and despite the cost of OCT acquisition in the face of increasing economic pressure; it is difficult to imagine a busy ophthalmic practice without OCT or SD-OCT in 5 years.

At Laser Locators we carry the top name surgical and diagnostic ophthalmic equipment manufacturers you can trust, like Acon, Nidek, Lumenis and more for preforming all of your precise ophthalmic procedures. Contact us at www.laserlocators.com  or call 1-877-924-2020 and let one of our expert equipment locators help you today.

The US Is The Largest Market For Ophthalmic Diagnostic Equipment

The US represents the largest market globally for ophthalmic diagnostic equipment in terms of revenue generated. The US ophthalmic diagnostic equipment market was valued at $190.7m in 2010 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4{0730eed075b45d9e50c00d6cd42dd08773e0164f29a45151808bf89051290974} over 2010-2017. Easy accessibility and availability of new medical equipment to patients, the availability of reimbursement for the coverage of eye care screening as well as the increasing incidence of eye conditions and related disorders are the major factors driving growth in the market.

OCT is the largest segment, accounting for $49.5m in 2010. OCT will remain the fastest growing segment that some experts predict will exhibit a growth rate as high as 8{0730eed075b45d9e50c00d6cd42dd08773e0164f29a45151808bf89051290974} over the next seven years. New innovations in fundus cameras are also expected to drive sales in the US market as well.

At Laser Locators we carry the top name surgical and diagnostic ophthalmic equipment manufacturers you can trust, like Acon, Nidek, Lumenis and more for preforming all of your precise ophthalmic procedures. Contact us at www.laserlocators.com  or call 1-877-924-2020 and let one of our expert equipment locators help you today

Save Money with Section 179 – Deadline December 31st

Most people think the Section 179 deduction is some mysterious or complicated tax code.  Essentially, Section 179 of the IRS tax code allows businesses to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment and/or software purchased or financed during the tax year. That means that if you buy (or lease) a piece of qualifying equipment, you can deduct the FULL PURCHASE PRICE from your gross income. It’s an incentive created by the U.S. government to encourage businesses to buy equipment and invest in themselves.  Today, Section 179 is one of the few incentives included in any of the recent Stimulus Bills that actually helps small businesses. Although large businesses also benefit from Section 179 or Bonus Depreciation, the original target of this legislation was much needed tax relief for small businesses – and millions of small businesses are actually taking action and getting real benefits.

When your business buys certain items of equipment, it typically gets to write them off a little at a time through depreciation. In other words, if your company spends $50,000 on a machine, it gets to write off (say) $10,000 a year for five years (these numbers are only meant to give you an example).  Now, while it’s true that this is better than no write off at all, most business owners would really prefer to write off the entire equipment purchase price for the year they buy it.  In fact, if a business could write off the entire amount, they might add more equipment this year instead of waiting over the next few years. That’s the whole purpose behind Section 179 – to motivate the American economy (and your business) to move in a positive direction. For most small businesses (adding total equipment, software, and vehicles totaling less than $139,000 in 2012), the entire cost can be written-off on the 2012 tax return.

All businesses that purchase, finance, and/or lease less than $560,000 in new or used business equipment during tax year 2012 should qualify for the Section 179 Deduction. If a business is unprofitable in 2012, and has no taxable income to use the deduction, that business can elect to use 50% Bonus Depreciation and carry-forward to a year when the business is profitable. The equipment, vehicle(s), and/or software must be used for business purposes more than 50% of the time to qualify for the Section 179 Deduction. Simply multiply the cost of the equipment, vehicle(s), and/or software by the percentage of business-use to arrive at the monetary amount eligible for Section 179.

Contact Laser Locators today to talk with their team about how 179 can help with your purchase.  We also offer creative financing options throughout the United States and Canada.

Source: www.section179.org

Laser locators 2012 laser growth

Global Ophthalmic Lasers market is projected to reach $804 Million by 2015, According to a New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc. https://www.prweb.com The GIA announces the release of a comprehensive global outlook on Ophthalmic Lasers market. Growing aging population, increasing accessibility to advanced laser eye treatment, developing regions, and the increase in number of eye patients opting for eye surgery, are expected to drive the market for Ophthalmic Lasers.

The global ophthalmic lasers market is expected to see significant growth driven by population increases of patients over the age of 65. This age-group is generally associated with certain unique eye problems, indicating a need for more advanced vision correction solutions. Other factors indicating growth of the ophthalmology lasers market over the coming years include increased accessibility to advanced laser eye treatments to patients around the world; the ophthalmology products market in Asia and other developing nations; and an increasing number of individuals in need of vision correction treatments,

The demand for certain major ophthalmic laser treatments suffered a decline during the recent economic recession as customers postponed elective surgeries due to reduced disposable incomes. Despite the downfall though, technological developments continued forward for the future growth of the industry. Projected future economic upturn is expected to support the number of people opting for elective eye surgery in order to do away with reading glasses, contacts, and bifocals. Early diagnosis, and the detection of certain eye disorders in conjunction with imaging technologies, such as OCT, is another factor that is expected to boost the growth of the laser eye correction market in future.

The research report “Ophthalmic Lasers: A Global Outlook” announced by Global Industry Analysts Inc., provides a collection of statistical data, market briefs, and research findings. The report offers an overall view of the global ophthalmic lasers industry. Regional markets include US, Canada, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and beyond.