Optometry purchasse scanning laser microperimeter

Office of Communications & Marketing | Northeastern State University
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. -- Northeastern State University's Oklahoma College of Optometry can now offer a further enhancement of its outstanding eye care for patients thanks to the generosity of Patsiann Nix-Smith and Jimmy Nix.

Through the Nix Foundation, the two provided funds to allow NSUOCO to purchase a scanning laser microperimeter (SLMP). The machine helps optometrists assess and assist those afflicted with macular degeneration and other conditions in which a patient has areas of blindness in their vision.

"It allows us to track the eye movements or habits of these patients," said Dr. David Lewerenz, chief of Low Vision Services at NSUOCO. "We can also help them adjust their vision habits through training, which can improve reading speed."

Lewerenz explained that most people with macular degeneration do not possess direct forward vision, so they use available peripheral vision. In doing so, many visually impaired people use left peripheral capability to read.

"This can slow reading speed because the blind spot covers the next word as they scan left to right," he said. "

The instrument, produced by the Italian company Centerveue, can let an optometrist determine exactly which part of peripheral capability a patient is using.

To enhance reading speed, patients can be trained to use their bottom peripheral vision. The SLMP can then be used to measure the effectiveness of training.

"The machine tells us which direction and how far the patient is turning the eye and how steady the fixation is," Lewerenz said. "It maps an area of fixation dots a quantification of how stable their fixation is. Our goal is to teach them to perhaps relocate that and to make that area a little tighter so the fixation is more stable. That will enable them to get more out of the vision they have."

Cost of the machine is about $45,000 and it is only the second SLMP operating in Oklahoma. The NSUOCO machine is the first in the U.S. to include a training module provided by Centerveue. The college was chosen to field test and give feedback on the module before it is widely distributed.

Nix-Smith is the daughter and niece of twins Mildred Nix and Callie Stinson, respectively. The two were blinded immediately after birth by an excessive application of silver nitrate a compound commonly used in the past to prevent bacterial infection in the eyes of newborns.

"I remember them always dealing with their vision problems and wearing thick glasses," Nix-Smith said. "The issues facing the visually impaired became very important to me."

Jimmy Nix said he could empathize with his grandmother and great aunt, and not only because he saw them meet their challenges. He had a personal brush with vision loss.

"I was playing racquetball in college, and in those days they didn't require you to wear safety goggles," he said. "A ball came off my opponent's racquet and hit me in the face. It completely hemorrhaged my eye and I almost lost the eye. It was a traumatic experience and I appreciate eyesight. Supporting the College of Optometry is a pretty easy sell for me."

Dr. Doug Penisten, NSUOCO dean, noted the donation to purchase the SLMP is only the most recent expression of support from the Nix Foundation. The foundation has helped the college update equipment in its Low Vision Rehabilitation Room. It also contributed most of the funds to facilitate provision of text-magnifying specialty glasses to Parkview-Oklahoma School for the Blind in Muskogee. NSUOCO conducts low vision evaluations for Parkview students and provides glasses or magnifying devices to help improve vision at all distances, or glare reduction for those who are light sensitive.

"Because of the support of Patsi Nix-Smith and Jimmy Nix, services for the visually impaired are better," Penisten said. "This new piece of equipment allows us to provide an even more advanced level of care. To be able to have real-time objective data as to where the fixation is going on and have it monitored and recorded, and then to be able to see the progress after training is phenomenal. The commitment and support of Patsi and Jimmy are helping people see!"