2009: Remodeling project includes new technology at local clinic

April 1, 2009

HARTINGTON — There is more to the remodeling project at Filips Eye Clinic than meets the eye.

The building that houses Filips Eye Clinic has been completely rebuilt and now has room for some of the latest high tech equipment.

The building was stripped to the concrete walls, floor and roof and everything was rebuilt, said Dr Roger Filips.

“Because we were starting from scratch we were able to make several improvements for our patients,” said Filips. “It is more attractive, spacious and we now have extra room for new high tech testing equipment.”

A new retinal scanner has been purchased along with a Magic Mirror.

The Magic Mirror, which is a computerized video device, allows pictures to be taken of patients wearing up to four different frames.

The pictures can be compared simultaneously after the patient has their old glasses back on.

“This is a great help for people who have very poor vision without their glasses,” said Filips. “Now they can see themselves and how they look in the new frame they are considering.”

New equipment that will be especially helpful for macular degeneration, epi-retinal membranes, diabetes and any other abnormalities of the central retina will also be available.

A new Cirrus HD OCT, which uses a laser to scan the retina, will give highly detailed cross-sections of the central retina.

“It is just like you would see under a lab microscope during a postmortem pathology examination,” said Filips. “I can actually see individual cells and whether they are healthy or damaged. This technology is an improvement on anything available before.”