Firstly, let talk about what exactly the PM1 pachymeter is and how it is used. The PM1 is the world's first handheld, non-contact, optical pachymeter, the device allows both clinicians and technicians to take a corneal centre thickness measurement in seconds to support diagnosis of glaucoma in a quicker and safer manner.
The PM1 pachymeter is very easy to operate; it is put in scanning mode by a simple touch on the screen. The operator then holds the device in front of the patient’s eye at a comfortable working distance. The device’s advanced Precision Optical technology automatically starts scanning and guides the operator to the correct alignment. , The device captures over 200 scans each second, automatically selecting 100 valid measurements, before immediately displaying the average of these measurements along with the precision.
Now, what exactly makes the PM1 pachymeter different from other pachymeters on the market? Firstly, the PM1 pachymeter uses an optical technique which means it is completely non-contact, unlike existing ultrasound pachymeters, which have direct contact with the patient's eye. This is done by using a measurement principle called a confocal scan - a tightly focused beam of invisible light scans through the cornea where the reflections front and rear surfaces are detected and analysed to determine the thickness of the cornea. Its non-contact capabilities also further reduce the risk of disease transmission and accidental damage to the cornea.
Regarding measurement time, since the PM1 pachymeter is non-contact, as mentioned earlier, there is no need for the use of anaesthetic eye drops. This significantly reduces chair time and allows the PM1 to take an accurate corneal centre thickness measurement in just a few seconds compared to ultrasound devices that need several minutes.
Furthermore, the PM1 pachymeter has no consumables and can therefore be said to be more sustainable than other existing ultrasound pachymeters which need anaesthetic drops, cleansing wipes, and replacement probes. Developing a device that is non-contact, in turn, reduces costs, waste, downtime, and the risk of damaging equipment through cleaning. The PM1 all in all will have a far lower carbon footprint, as it will not be producing plastic waste from the consumables mentioned.
Lastly, the PM1s TFT touchscreen interface has been thoughtfully designed making it easy and intuitive to use, therefore clinical staff and technicians can become proficient with just a few minutes of practice. This means that clinical staff can spend more time doing the more important things, while also saving the valuable time of optometrists.
If you want to find out more about the PM1 pachymeter click here, alternatively, if you are an ophthalmic business owner, ophthalmologist, optometrist or optician you may be interested in becoming a preferred partner and shareholder in Occuity.
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