Dr Martin Smith
12 October 2020
Knowing that refracting with one eye covered can mask a binocular vision problem is not a very reassuring feeling for a clinician. This is not the case with PASKAL 3D refraction: I like the fact that you are not occluding but are testing the eyes in their natural state – most patients don’t know which eye you are examining. I always found that some patients reacted a bit when you swopped eyes with conventional testing, but it is a much more seamless, flowing, examination with PASKAL 3D.
Everyone likes the pretty mountain scenes. Looking at them through 3D specs means it is a dramatic, almost cinema-like experience
Patients are also pretty engaged with the 49” screen – just four metres away, particularly children. Everyone likes the pretty mountain scenes. Looking at them through 3D specs means it is a dramatic, almost cinema-like experience. During the three years that I have been using PASKAL 3D it has been a very positive experience - there is a much lower rate of issues as people pay more attention. Everyone likes the drama of 3D and are inspired to tell their friends: most of our new business comes from referrals from existing patients. It is quite a differentiator for us in the local area.
Our patient profile is very mixed here in Lincoln. We charge £95 for a comprehensive eye test, but not all of our patients are affluent. We use the PASKAL 3D screen for NHS sight tests, but not the 3D element. When we explain what is included in the private examination – OCT and widefield fundus imagery, as well as the 3D test – almost all of our patients upgrade, as they appreciate what we are doing.
Everyone likes the drama of 3D and they are inspired to tell their friends: most of our new business comes from referrals from existing patients
Another great benefit of not occluding the eye is the fact that you are not physically leaning across the patient, so this does help with infection control. Controlling the eye examination via the iPad also means that it helps to keep some physical distance, which is an added reassurance to support all the other COVID-19 measures we have put in place at the practice.
It is a very relaxed, but effective, eye examination with 80 different tests available, and certainly the younger children enjoy wearing the 3D Minion goggles – they think they have come to a fun cinema-type event. You spend less time trying to engage them as they want to look at the screen at the end of the room as soon as they come in. I use the standard charts, Kay pictures and an array of PASKAL 3D children’s options including the sandcastle imagery, which reveal just how the eyes function individually and together, establishing binocular vision.
The younger children enjoy wearing the 3D Minion goggles… you spend less time trying to engage them as they want to look at the screen at the end of the room as soon as they come in
You are testing in a real-life situation – people like the drama of 3D, and I like the way you can work out the prisms very easily: if there is any instability you will instantly find out.
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