Technology

	Ocular motility is measured with the Computerized Hess Screen.
	The computerized Hess Screen CD simulates the traditional Hess Screen test. It requires the subject to wear red and blue spectacles and identify the positions of targets presented on the screen by using the computer mouse.

Five of Lifelearn's CDs are approved for transcript-quality optometric continuing education credit in more than 40 states and provinces in North America, and are certified by the U.S. Council on Optometric Practitioner Education (COPE). COPE-certified titles available from Lifelearn include Automated Perimetry, Cornea Copia, Fluorescein Angiography Primer, Fundus Fundamentals, and the Virtual Eyecare Clinic: Anterior Segment. The other three titles are Computerized Hess Screen, Optometric Toolkit for Computer Users, and Procedures in Clinical Optometry.

Automated Perimetry: An Interactive Primer uses 20 case studies to provide eyecare professionals with an interactive overview of automated perimetry. The teaching tool is designed to help optometrists and ophthalmologists assess the visual field, detect and quantify damage to the visual pathway, and monitor change over time.

Natalie Hutchings, president of Lifelearn and an assistant professor of optometry at the University of Waterloo, said the CD was designed to provide an introduction to interpreting the results from visual field testing. Due to the time of follow-up covered by the cases, the majority of fields presented used the standard full-threshold algorithm (4-2-2dB). Although new thresholding techniques and algorithms have been developed since the CD was released in 1996, she said, "The fundamentals of interpretation can be applied to all types of automated perimetry."

The Cornea Copia's CD-ROM includes a slide show that contains 218 large high-quality cornea and contact lens-related slides. "Approximately half the slides are related to contact lens complications, fitting, and adverse responses," Hutchings said. "And each image is accompanied by a title and brief description." The Fundus Fundamentals CD-ROM has a similar format and includes 220 large high-quality slides of the fundus, including optic nerve head, and macular and peripheral images.

Images on the Cornea Copia and Fundus Fundamentals CDs may be examined individually, in browse mode, or in a set, in slide show mode. The browse mode allows a specific slide to be selected. The order of presentation may be fixed or random. A quiz mode enables the review of slides with the title and text description of the slide hidden from view. A click of the mouse on the "show me" button displays the hidden information and makes for fast and easy self-testing.

The Fluorescein Angiography Primer: An Interactive Case-based Review provides an overview of techniques used in fluorescein angiography. It includes introductions to both fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography.

"A series of 28 cases is available for review," Hutchings said. "Each case includes an early, middle, and late-stage angiogram, as well as color and red-free fundus photos. A unique feature of this CD is the built-in test. A total of 40 annotated multiple-choice questions are provided to test the user's understanding of the material."

The Virtual Eyecare Clinic: Anterior Segment CD-ROM is designed as a virtual eyecare clinic and includes 25 real histories. "This CD represents the state of the art, providing an innovative and interesting learning experience," Hutchings said. "Based on the information provided in the case history and symptoms, users decide what data they are going to obtain in their virtual consulting room by clicking on the relevant instruments."

The result of each test is accompanied by a brief description and, where appropriate, slides. The Virtual Eyecare CD also includes a built-in continuing education test with 35 annotated multiple-choice questions.

The Computerized Hess Screen CD simulates the traditional Hess Screen test on a regular computer monitor. The subject wears red and blue spectacles, and must identify the position of the targets presented on the screen by using the computer mouse. The Computerized Hess Screen provides a rapid and accurate measurement of ocular motility with results that closely match those obtained with the traditional Hess Screen. The program includes a full-featured database to store records and analyze results over time. A number of analytical tools help quantify the magnitude of defects and assist with diagnosis.

The Optometric Toolkit CD is a set of tests viewed on a computer monitor that allow eyecare professionals to assess a patient's visual performance when viewing a computer monitor. The CD enables the user to configure the test displays to match the PC monitor in their working environment for color, size, and layout. The program also enables the assessment of oculomotor balance and search, and is designed as an additional tool for evaluating eye-related performance issues in computer users.

The Procedures in Clinical Optometry CD-ROM is based on the core text from clinical curriculum at the University of Waterloo. More than 100 separate clinical tests are described, including preliminary workup, refraction, binocular vision, ocular health, and supplementary test procedures.

"This CD-ROM is an essential reference for clinical optometrists, describing how to perform each test, what to expect in a normal individual, and what 'nonnormal' results imply," Hutchings said. "It includes indexing and over 100 color photographs to the text material. The contents are laid out in an easy-to-browse fashion, allowing one to jump to related tests."

Lifelearn Eyecare is developing three other CD-ROMs that are due to be released later this year: Client Services for Eye Care, The Virtual Eyecare Clinic, and The Virtual Eyecare Clinic: Advanced Contact Lens Practice.

Lifelearn Eyecare was founded in 1995 by Rick Potvin, OD. Individual CDs range in price from $120 (U.S.) to $250 with volume and student discounts available. The CE test option is an additional $35. More information about Lifelearn's CD-ROMs is available online at lifeye.uwaterloo.ca or by calling 877-242-3622.

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Contact Information
Hutchings: 519-885-1211 x5408, fax 519-725-0784, info@lifeye.uwaterloo.ca