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The ARIS Stereo Retinal Imaging System

LESLIE GOLDBERG, ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Visual Pathways' (Prescott, AZ) ARIS system addresses the need for a fully automated, stereo, nonmydriatic system to image the retina, without requiring a highly trained specialist to operate the instrument.

PHYSICIAN FEEDBACK

David Casey, MD, a general ophthalmologist in Pensacola, FL, has been using the ARIS for 21 months for examining a variety of pathologies. "The most beneficial aspect of the ARIS system for me, is the ability to capture an image within 10 seconds and view the stereoscopic results at either the imaging station or a remote screen," says Dr. Casey.

He explains that the ARIS is very useful for optic nerve pathologies and retina problems such as macular edema, epiretinal membranes and macular degeneration.

"The ARIS is particularly good for glaucoma patients in explaining the concept of the optic nerve cupping. This is a difficult concept for most patients to grasp, but when they are able to see it, there's an immediate impact and patients have a better understanding of their condition," Dr. Casey explains.

MULTIPLE WAVELENGTH VIEWING OPTIONS

The ARIS automatically acquires images in multiple wavelengths and in stereo so that images can be viewed in a number of modes. Users can go deep into the retinal layers with various red wavelengths. The green wavelength is set at 550 μm and provides high-resolution images of the retinal surface.

Visual Pathways' ARIS system is a fully automated, stereo, nonmydriatic system to image the retina.

"Users can identify microaneurysms in diabetics that they would not find in the usual colored-imaging process," says Dr. Casey. "This is the strong suit of the green mode. Epiretinal, nerve fiber, and superficial vascular anomalies are easily imaged. The 650 μm option puts users at the level of the pigment epithelium to image macular pathologies. Drusen and RPE pathology are easily located as well. The near infrared image at 875 μm probes even deeper into the choroid."

"A stereo pair imaging procedure typically takes between 10 to 15 seconds to complete," says Gary Buck, chairman and CEO of Visual Pathways, Inc. "A standardized diabetic retinopathy, imaging procedure, 7 field, with multiple wavelength stereo images takes about 5 minutes with the ARIS, compared with about 30 minutes for a competitive fundus camera."

UPDATES

"Visual Pathways is continually updating their technology, usually via a thumb drive with up-to-date downloads," says Dr. Casey. Visual Pathways has developed an optional software module that takes advantage of the multiple wavelengths and stereo features and allows for automated glaucoma detection and evaluation. "The ARIS also can take anterior stereo images, a feature I am beginning to use more and more in my practice. With that addition I can have retina, glaucoma and anterior imaging in one instrument," he concludes. RP

For more information on the ARIS, visit Visual Pathways' Web site at www.visualpathways.com. Dr. Casey has no financial ties to Visual Pathways.