How the new Topcon Chronos system can improve your eye care experience
San Diego automated eye exam
Here at North County Laser Eye Associates, we’re always looking for ways to use the latest technology to offer you the best possible experience for your eye care. We’re excited about a new development in the field, called the Topcon Chronos system. This device helps to make the process of getting an eye exam quicker and more efficient, and to ensure the best possible outcomes.
What is the Chronos system? How does it help to improve your experience at the eye doctor?
Chronos offers automated refraction and eye measurements
Chronos is an all-in-one device that helps to make eye exams more efficient, by automating many aspects of the process.
When you first sit down at the Chronos station, the device will first take some measurements of your eye. This includes performing keratometry, which is the measurement of the curvature of the cornea, the outer clear part of the eye. This is important in planning for any possible laser eye procedure. Using Chronos, we’re able to get very accurate measurements of the cornea taken by the system.
Refraction is the process of examining the eye’s ability to focus light, in order to determine a patient’s lens prescription. Chronos is able to use the same station to perform two different methods of refraction. First, it performs autorefraction. You focus on a single point of light, and the computerized system measures how light reflects from your eyes in order to determine what your lens prescription is most likely to be.
In order to confirm that this prescription is correct for you, Chronos will also perform what we call a subjective refraction. This is the eye test that you’re used to, in which you try different lens prescriptions and decide which lenses create the best visual result for you. Although this process is traditionally performed in person by an optometrist, Chronos uses a software program called SightPilot in order to automate the process. The system will try out different lenses and ask for you to respond, in order to give feedback about what your visual experience is like. It thus narrows in on the best lens prescription for you.
How Chronos improves the patient experience
Most patients have never experienced anything like Chronos. In just a few minutes at the Chronos station, the system will take measurements of your eye and will use these to perform your subjective refraction, giving your lens prescription. The efficiency and simplicity of the system surprises many patients, and makes the experience of visiting the eye doctor far quicker and more convenient.
Of course, Chronos doesn’t completely replace your eye doctor. It’s still important that you be seen by a vision care professional, to ensure that your eyes are healthy and to confirm that you’re getting the right prescription. This will also give you a chance to talk about your various treatment options with an expert, so you can choose what’s right for you – glasses, contacts, or laser eye surgery. Chronos doesn’t get rid of your eye doctor; it simply makes your visit more efficient, and allows us to spend our time on the highest value activities, like giving advice about vision care options.
San Diego automated eye exam
If you’re interested in seeing for yourself how the Topcon Chronos system works to improve your vision care experience, we invite you to schedule an appointment here at our office. As part of our commitment to serving our patients at the highest level, we use the Chronos system at our patients’ vision care appointments. One of our expert eye doctors will also be happy to discuss your various treatment options with you; if you’ve been considering laser eye surgery or want to learn more about what it involves, we’ll be happy to answer all of your questions so that you can make the decision that’s right for you. You can simply contact our office to book your appointment.
