Heidelberg launches new perimeter and improved Spectralis

NEW ORLEANS — Heidelberg Engineering officially launched its new Heidelberg Edge Perimeter at the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting.

"The obvious question is, why a new perimeter?" John Flanagan, OD, PhD, developer of the perimeter, said at a Heidelberg-sponsored event. "This is the first real change in 10 years."

Dr. Flanagan said this perimeter differs from its predecessors because it uses flicker-defined form to detect visual field changes earlier and more accurately with improved repeatability.

This technology, he said, is more selective, targeting the magnocellular pathway. This, in combination with the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph, will allow for earlier detection of more subtle structural and functional losses, which are shown graphically through two concentric rings.

In another presentation, Jeffrey S. Heier, MD, presented the latest software on Heidelberg's Spectralis. The software gives more detailed 3-D photos of the ocular coherence tomography that can be seen in direct connection with fluorescein angiography images.

"We are seeing things now that we weren't able to see 2 years ago or even 6 months ago," he said.

The software offers the same advantages as the new Heidelberg Edge Perimeter: the ability to repeat tests and measure progression, a combination of technologies and a more nuanced detection of change.

"This is clearly the easiest way, but whether it is clinically relevant still remains to be seen," Dr. Heier said.