Heidelberg Engineering GmbH
Heidelberg Edge Perimeter integrates with the HRT to combine glaucoma structure and function tests. VISTA, CALIFORNIA and HEIDELBERG, GERMANY– July 13, 2007 – Heidelberg Engineering GmbH will introduce a new perimeter technology at the World Glaucoma Congress being held this week in Singapore. The Heidelberg Edge Perimeter (HEP) uses a unique new stimulus called Flicker Defined Form, which targets M-cells, and has been shown to be highly sensitive to functional loss due to early glaucoma.
Using flickering black and white patterns, the stimulus creates an illusory edge where the patient perceives a circular stimulus. Not only does this methodology target early glaucoma, it is more comfortable for patients, resulting in higher test-retest reliability than conventional methods.
“The Heidelberg Edge Perimeter is specifically designed to investigate the earliest possible functional damage in patients with glaucoma, whilst also improving on traditional test-retest characteristics in order to better follow disease progression,” noted Professor John Flanagan, University of Toronto, developer of the unique technology.
The Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study highlighted the problems of repeatability frequently associated with standard visual field testing, indicating that 66% of patients returned to ‘normal’ after two consecutive abnormal visual field tests.
In addition to bringing a new approach to visual field testing, the company designed the new device to work in combination with the well-established Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRT).
“With a common data platform and new analysis software, the two instruments provide a combined Structure-Function analysis,” according to Dr. Gerhard Zinser, Managing Director and head of Research and Development, Heidelberg Engineering GmbH. “By introducing the true integration of structure and function tests of the optic nerve, we will be providing new insights into the diagnosis and monitoring of the progression of glaucoma.”
“Integration of structural and functional tests of the optic nerve provide exciting potential for enhanced diagnosis and monitoring of progression of glaucoma,” according to Robert N. Weinreb, MD, Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology and Director of the Hamilton Glaucoma Center at the University of California San Diego at the WGA Consensus on Glaucoma Diagnosis in November of 2003.
“The HEP system is the latest Heidelberg product introduction that incorporates our proprietary TruTrack™ technology,” noted Lisa Underwood, Senior Product Manager, Heidelberg Engineering, Inc. “Together, the HEP and OHTS-proven HRT ensure structure and function information are tracked simultaneously to give the best possible indicators of glaucomatous progression.”
About Heidelberg Engineering GmbH
Headquartered in Heidelberg, Germany, this privately-held company is a leader in light-based medical devices for ophthalmic applications. The company designs, manufactures and markets a variety of instruments for application in retina, glaucoma and cornea diseases. U.S. corporate office is located in Vista, California.