Features

The Ocular Blood Flow Analyzer (BFA) provides a fast, clinically proven measurement that improves detection of glaucoma suspects. The BFA assists in the management of glaucoma, and detection of other circulatory abnormalities involving diabetes, retinal and carotid disorders.

Ocular Blood Flow is now recognized as an important diagnostic measurement for your patient. The BFA records pulsatile ocular blood flow data, providing significant new information about the vascular network in the eye. Studies have indicated that blood flow is significantly compromised in many eyes with normal-tension glaucoma, with and without field loss. The BFA improves your ability to monitor and manage your patients.

In one automatic 10 second measurement, information is captured and displayed on the screen. Data is printed on a concise patient record.

Numeric and graphic data in one test:

• IOP
• Pulse amplitude
• Systolic and diastolic cycles
• Ocular Blood Flow (microliters/sec)

The BFA's pneumotonometer has been shown to have greater accuracy in IOP measurement than traditional Goldmannn. Because the pneumotono- meter has a smaller applanation probe, the IOP findings are less influenced by variations in corneal thickness.

Clinical Benefits of the BFA

• Identify low and normal-tension glaucoma suspects who tend to have significantly lower OBF's than normal. Low OBF's may put any part of the eye at risk. Glaucoma is just one disease where abnormal OBF is likely to be a major risk factor.
• Identify vascular disorders in patients with greater asymmetry of OBF than 4 microliters per second with similar IOP's, ie. internal carotid stenosis.
• Monitor ocular and systemic drugs that have the potential to modify OBF. This is particularly true of beta and calcium level blockers.

How the Blood Flow Analyzer Tonometer Works

The Blood Flow Analyzer (BFA) measures intraocular pressure 200 times per second, and automatically measures Ocular Blood Flow (OBF). Ocular pressure rises and falls with each heartbeat. This pressure waveform is created when the bolus of blood from each heartbeat passes through the ocular choroid. The systolic increase and diastolic decrease in intraocular pressure caused by the pulsatile ocular blood flow is accurately recorded by the BFA. This data is analyzed by an on board computer in real time, and a resultant OBF calculated.

Test Reports

The report printout provides a quantitative record of each patient test. With the easy to read format, your interpretation and patient follow-up becomes second nature.

Extensive Test Data

Six test parameters are taken per eye with a calculated average mean value in microliters/sec. Measurements for each pulse with a calculated average are given in an extensive range of figures for IOP (tonometry) and pneuonoplethysmographic vascular activity including: pressure, pulse amplitude, systole and diastole duration, pulse rate, and ocular blood flow rate.