Enhancing a the long history of quality care, our research programs can provide detailed clinical reports on a patient's visual status back to their referring physicians.

It is now possible to enhance this clinical information to include microperimetry with eye tracking capability (more accurate mapping of visual sensitivity, essential for the patient with macular disease), multi-focal electroretinography (helpful in identifying whether the causes of vision loss are retinal in origin) and optical coherence tomography (unveiling the layers of the retina via high resolution spectral domain technology). These instruments allow for a more complete understanding of a patient's visual function and any underlying structural changes that may be related to the patient's vision losses. The results of these tests can be used by the referring physicians to further refine a more precise therapeutic plan for their patients.

These tests improve further the high quality of patient care available from our Low Vision Service. In addition, the equipment allows for The Chicago Lighthouse to be involved in more clinical research and be a leader in the development of training techniques for Low Vision Rehabilitation. This is most consistent with the Lighthouse's tradition of excellence in Low Vision. The new instruments that are now part of our low vision services are:

Nidek Microperimeter (MP1)
Nidek's MP-1 measures the patient's ability or inability to perceive light of varying intensities projected on all areas of the eye. This instrument allows for the detection and monitoring of central and peripheral vision loss, as well as the eye's ability to gaze steadily on a target. It is extremely useful in identifying the preferred retinal locus for a patient with loss of central vision due to macular disease, and for accurately mapping visual loss in these patients to gain a full understanding of a patient's remaining vision. Eccentric viewing training programs can be customized for the patient with unstable fixation.

Veris Science™ Multifocal Electroretinogram (mfERG)
This is a powerful instrument designed to assess the eye's electrical responses to light. The mfERG technique measures and maps retinal function by recording electrical responses from the eye in 103 discrete locations, using a corneal contact lens electrode, in just 8 minutes per eye. The results of this test can help identify the origin of a patient's vision loss, including differentiating whether the cause of the loss is cortical or retinal. This is helpful in directing vision therapy for patients with unexplained vision loss.

Heidelberg Engineering - Spectralis® Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
This leading edge OCT device provides never before seen details of the structure of the retina. With this instrument, the retina is scanned 100 times faster than older existing technology, at 40,000 scans per second, which creates extremely high resolution cross sectional images at any retinal location. Using spectral-domain OCT technology, disease (including age-related macular degeneration) pathogenesis can be better understood by evaluating an 'in vivo' depiction of the retinal layers.

For more information, please contact:
Patricia Grant-Jordan, Director of Low Vision Research
Phone: (312) 447-3233
E-mail: patricia.grant-jordan@chicagolighthouse.org
Fax: (312) 506-0111
TTY: (312) 666-8874