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This past Tuesday afternoon, the Memorial Hospital authority board held their monthly meeting. Among the items on the day’s agenda included a request to replace the hospital’s existing Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) machine; the current machine, a Zeiss model, has been in service for 12 years. The proposed replacement is a Topcon Maestro2, which would cost $50,295, as opposed to a new Zeiss Cirrus HD-OCT 5000, which would cost $107,832.

According Dr. Lisa Martin, the Topcon OCT is a combination machine, capable of both capturing high-resolution fundus photography and able to complete ocular coherence tomography.

“It gives us a comprehensive analysis of the health of the macula (part of the retina at the back of the eye) and optic nerve, and a better understanding of the relationship between ocular anatomy changes and subsequent visual field loss,” Dr. Martin explained. “This instrument is used to monitor for glaucoma development and progression, it’s used for management of macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, and to monitor for any complications that may arise following cataract surgery.”

The motion to approve the purchase passed.

“I am so thankful that the board was able to approve the purchase of our new Topcon OCT, an essential diagnostic tool in the diagnosis and management of many ocular diseases” Martin said. “This particular OCT is easy to use, and will give us the ability to continue to provide a thorough evaluation of our patients ocular health and maintain the standard of care that we have always provided.”