How to get the best results with your slit lamp camera – a cornea specialists’ guide

Want to compose high-quality cornea images without having to rely on the expertise of an ophthalmic photographer? The Haag-Streit Imaging Module 910 provides the tech you need. Watch our video to see it in action, or read on to learn the four features that will transform your slit lamp imaging.

The brilliance of slit lamps

A Haag-Streit slit lamp is a fantastic tool. Its superior optics, intuitive controls, and high-precision mechanics provide everything needed to capture the most complex eye conditions.

But when it comes to slit lamp imaging, without an easy way to review the shot, manage the lighting, select the best images, and share the output - you are only halfway there.

However, with a helping-hand from technology, you will be amazed by what you can accomplish with your slit lamp camera.

But first... why is a better workflow needed?

Demand for innovative new treatments, an ageing population, and the increase in prevalence of serious eye conditions: all these factors place pressure on the eye care specialist to work faster. Yet, this workload must be balanced with the need to compose and store many high-quality images in a compliant, efficient manner.

With no more hours in the day, improvements need to be made – but where?

Enter the slit lamp. Frank Wenger, Haag-Streit comments:

“When we interviewed doctors, they said, ‘well this slit lamp camera is great, but the workflow is crap" – a clear message that something needed to be done!"

This resulted in the development of the Imaging Module 910 (IM 910), released in 2022.

Since then, many cornea specialists have realized the potential of the Haag-Streit IM 910 to simplify and streamline patient eye examinations.

"The Imaging Module 910 transforms the slit lamp into a platform on which we innovate the field of slit lamp imaging."

Frank Wenger, Head of Product Management General Diagnostics, Haag-Streit

Four features to transform your slit lamp imaging:

Feature #1: A joined-up process in the exam room.

What does your typical examination look like?

The traditional eye exam goes something like this. Examine eye, take a few images that are of interest. Stop the camera. Move to the PC. Check images. Frown at images. Turn back to the camera. Restart the camera, fiddle with the camera settings. Have another attempt. And repeat.

Not great. But, there is another way.

The IM 910 connects directly to your monitor without the need for a computer. Start the camera by turning the knob, and voila, you’re ready to go.

Focus, press the button and with a small turn of your chair, review a meaningful image (with the patient if you wish) and move on.

No more stop/start/reset. No excessive twisting/turning of the back or chair. What you see in the ocular is what you get.

This is the most basic starting point for a faster and more ergonomically sound way of working.

Feature #2: Light and exposure taken care of, within the camera settings.

The ophthalmic photographer is trained to compose great images. And if you’re lucky enough to have one on standby, then you’d better work fast before they move to their next urgent appointment within your hospital or practice. But what if you don’t have the luxury of a specialist photographer to compose the image, sets the aperture and exposure?

That’s the beauty of the IM 910. Its performant “auto-exposure mode” and “automatic aperture” is a fancy way of saying: the camera sets the light levels so that you can guarantee the perfect level of illumination.

Once the IM 910 is set up, you don’t have to touch the controls once. It’s like having an ophthalmic photographer at your side.

Feature #3: Smart software that tells you which images are any good.

Let the IM 910 take control and it will automatically select the sharpest and most expressive image for you.

The algorithm knows to select the best frame from the last 600 milliseconds. So, there’s no need to sift through folders-full of very similar images to find the best one.

Even better, the software knows to pinpoint exactly what you need, even if the patient has a blinking episode during the exam.

Feature #4: Simple ways to manage your images.

Using IM 910 to store your images is another great way to fast-track your exam workflow.

The images taken can easily move to other locations. Manually or automatic - you decide. Use the EMR's "watched folder" function for instant uploading, or connect the IM 910 with EyeSuite (Haag-Streit’s integrated software) and link to more demanding systems like a PACS server.

If you prefer a hands-on approach, use the simple manual export if you only randomly store and share images.

With IM 910, there’s no need to become a slave to burdensome file-sharing practices that slow down your procedures.

Ready to turn your slit lamp camera into your examination sidekick?

Now that you know just how powerful IM 910 can be for your examination needs, why not learn more?

Ready when you are!

For information, and to enquire about the Haag-Streit Imaging Module 910, visit: https://bit.ly/escrs23_imagingmodule910

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