All –
VisuCam 224 (Color/FAF) and VisuCam 524(Color/FAF/FA/ICG) were just released
in USA at the AAO along with Cirrus AngioPlex. 24 MP sensor, new optics, very
sharp.
G
http://www.zeiss.com/meditec/en_us/media-and-news/latest-news/new-high-resolution-fundus-cameras-visucam-224-524-for-more-confident-diagnosis.html
From: optimal-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:optimal-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Dale Brodsky
Sent: Sunday, November 29, 2015 6:14 PM
To: optimal@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optimal] Fundus Photo and Re: Canon CX-1 vs Topcon 50 vs.
Nikon/Stingray, vs Zeiss VisuCam
Chuck,
I've been observing this conversation and want to add some data to consider
regarding your Topcon 50EX. This camera is the current workhorse of the
ophthalmic industry. I would venture to say it is likely the most popular
camera among OPS users, as with the broader retina community. There is plenty
of good after market support and service experience with this model.
The 50EX has three angles (50, 35 and 20 degrees) along with tilt and pan. One
of the great strengths of the 50EX is it's peripheral capabilities. According
to the manufacturer's websites, in mydriatic mode, the Canon CX-1 is 50 degrees
with 2X mag (from Canon, "Clear, high resolution images are available in either
mydriatic or non-mydriatic mode. The 2x mode magnifies the image by
automatically cropping out the peripheral edges so the region of interest is
larger in the frame."). The Visucam has 45 and 30 degree fields of view. The
Canon does have tilt and pan while the Visucam is a straight ahead, stationary
optical head without tilt and pan. This is from Zeiss detailing a study
performed at the Technical University of Munich in 2010 comparing the FAF
results between the Visucam and Spectralis. The Visucam does compare favorably
in many categories. Relative though, to using a stationary head fundus camera,
the following excerpt from the published document
follows::(http://applications.zeiss.com/C1257BB3003850AB/0/2DBEFFB92B144EE3C1257A29005F1034/$FILE/VC500_Downloads_Huan-Feng_Masterthesis.pdf)
Based on the statistic and thorough analysis of several cases of each high-risk
pattern it was concluded that both devices provided comparable medical
information on dry AMD. They had different features. For example, VISUCAM
showed more details of large soft drusen, while HRA was more sensible to
pigment clumping. However, FAF images taken with either of them in combination
with high-quality fundus photos could provide right and complete information
about dry AMD. It was also found that VISUCAM FAF images oft contained more
information thanks to its wide-band excitation and larger field of view. It
called for a more stable fixation and a homogenous illumination to improve the
FAF image quality of VISUCAM. A camera head with more flexibility would be
helpful.
Some details on the websites and in brochures may not match with current specs
since the brochures that can be downloaded are a bit dated. Canon's brochure
at their website is from 2009. I did not find one at the Zeiss website, but
located the most recent I could find online from 2012. You have to look under
Glaucoma instruments on Zeiss' site as the specs page is blank when you go to
the Retina section. If you take a look there, it seems to indicate fastest
shoot time is 1.5 fps, while the Topcon is rated at 1 frame per second. No info
on Canon's site about this. The Visucam computer specs indicate an Embedded
Windows OS from 2009 with 1Gb RAM, but does not indicate what OS. You might
want to inquire about the latest specs they are using as this might be limiting.
There is a special page at Zeiss specifically warning Windows 10 is not
supported for their devices nor software, not review software either. The FAQ
statement indicates they will not support it until Windows 7 is gone, which
Zeiss says is currently scheduled for 2020
(http://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/Meditec/us/download/zeiss-faq-microsoftsoftwareupdate_cor7320-final.pdf).
FAQ question 7 is very clear what happens if someone upgrades to W10.
Since Canon uses an external computer not built into the camera base, the PC is
separate and easy to change, upgrade, etc. They offers a HP Pro All in One or,
for more bucks, a nicer full size power house HP with Windows 7 Pro, 4GB, RAID
PC. Nothing is mentioned about Windows 10. Canon charges around $1250 for the
internal fixation target, as it is not included with the fundus camera.
According to their websites, the Visucam uses a 5 megapixel CCD internal camera
and the Canon uses a modified 15 megapixel EOS 60D Rebel (small sensor).
Both the Canon and Zeiss cameras offer FAF. Your Topcon can do that, too.
The Fundus Photo system is Study Certified and is available with FAF and/or ICG
options for the Topcon 50EX with the full frame 21 megapixel Canon 6D for all
modes (color, red-free, FA, FAF, ICG). This is shipped with HP Elite PC with
Intel, Windows 7 Pro, 4Gb RAM, RAID and 24" Dell IPS monitor. New Vision
software already runs just fine on Windows 10. New Vision features Universal
Auto Transfer to any EMR, auto backup, unlimited review stations and auto
enhancement.
Annual service contracts add up to a very large expenditure and we recognize
the significant drain of resources that represents you could use for other
needs. There are no annual service contracts nor on-going recurring charges
with our Zero Cost Lifetime Support.
Jim Walters at Prairie Eye has a Topcon 50EX with the Fundus Photo FAF/ICG
system. He can tell you his experience with the product and just as
importantly, our service. His email is
jcawalters@xxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:jcawalters@xxxxxxxxxxx>.
Best regards,
Dale
The Best Value in Digital Imaging
Dale Brodsky - Ophthalmic Imaging and Equipment Expert
Fundus Photo, LLC - Digital Fundus Cameras and Upgrades - Sustaining Member of
the Ophthalmic Photographers Society
St. Louis Ophthalmic Equipment Company - In our 24th year!
3015 Locust Street St. Louis, MO 63103 USA
314.533.6000 fax 314.534.6000 Mobile 314.406.3600
Visit our websites at http://www.stleye.com<http://www.stleye.com/> and
http://www.fundusphoto.com<http://www.fundusphoto.com/>
email - dale.brodsky@xxxxxxxxx<mailto:dale.brodsky@xxxxxxxxx>
