Dr. Graebe: New Tools for New Year

The new year means new technology for Dr. Graebe, a behavioral optometrist in Versailles, who prides himself on keeping his office on the cutting edge of breakthroughs that benefit his patients.

The latest addition to Dr. Graebe’s arsenal of weapons against impaired vision is an advanced aberrometer.

This new diagnostic machine can identify higher orders of aberrations in a patient’s eye,

The first order of aberrations are near- and far-sightedness.

Higher orders of aberrations are measured in the curvature of the cornea. Determining more exact measurements in corneal curvature allows Dr. Graebe to prescribe more precise lenses used for corneal molding, which can stop and reverse near-sightedness.

In addition, these precise measurements lead to more accurate prescriptions for high definition lenses – another recent innovation in the field.

HD lenses are to regular lenses what HD TV is to regular TV.

HD lenses provide sharper, higher contrast vision. More expensive than regular lenses, the HD version is not for everyone.

But certain patients need the sharpest vision possible for optimal performance in their profession.

Pilots, engineers, physicians, even truck drivers who drive long hours at night lead the list of such patients.

But many of Dr. Graebe’s patients choose HD lenses once they have “seen” the difference.

“For some people, these lenses aren’t worth the extra cost,” he said. “But for our clients who need sharp vision for letters and numbers, their vision is improved.”

The aberrometer also can diagnose “dry eye” syndrome more accurately. As Dr. Graebe points out, from the ages of 18-65, we lose

60% function in tear production because the tear glands clog and atrophy.

Once diagnosed, this issue is resolved with an inexpensive eye lash shampoo that Dr. Graebe can supply.

In his practice, non-glare coating on lenses – another innovation that sharpens vision – is popular. Once patients try them, they prefer the results.

“We are a patient-centric office,” Dr. Graebe said. “I thank heavens for all the smart people out there who have developed this new technology that improves visual performance for our patients.

“I’m proud and humbled that we draw patients from more than 300 zip codes to our office. I hear our patients say all the time, ‘You really care about me getting better.’ That is very gratifying.”