The ZEISS CLARUS 500 is the latest ultra-wide-angle retinal camera, or fundus camera, which takes a color image of the fundus of the eye. The colors correspond to the natural coloration of the fundus of the eye, which significantly simplifies diagnosis and facilitates documentation of the course of eye diseases, and thus provides unprecedented safety when diagnosing the optic nerve as well as nevi and lesions of the eye. ZEISS CLARUS generates images that closely resemble the coloration of the fundus seen during a clinical examination. The picture is taken at high resolution in a very wide field of view (up to 200 °). Because of its wide scan size, the ZEISS CLARUS 500 can visualize eye changes that are difficult to visualize with a digital camera or traditional color photography. Disseminated or bilateral retinal lesions can change not only the prognosis and diagnosis, but also the treatment of patients.
Thanks to the introduction of ultra-wide-angle, high-resolution imaging (up to 7 micrometers) into retinal diagnostics, it has been possible to establish that symptoms of the disease can often also be seen at the outermost periphery of the retina.This is the case, for example, in the course of diabetic retinopathy. A recent study on the use of ultra-widefield imaging in diabetic retinopathy showed that 51% of all patients had lesions that were mainly peripheral. The presence of peripheral diabetic retinopathy is associated with a 4.7-fold increased risk of progression to PDR and a 3.2-fold increased risk of progression through at least two levels of diabetes.
The ZEISS CLARUS 500 captures detailed and precise images of the retina, from the macula to the periphery. In this way, subtle signs of disease that are difficult to see directly or on low-resolution fundus photographs can also be detected.
With conventional ultra-wide-angle imaging systems, a classic high-resolution fundus camera is essential for the diagnosis and treatment of optic nerve and macular diseases. ZEISS’ CLARUS 500 is the first and only fundus imaging system that allows for accurate color and detail reproduction over a very wide field of view. This allows doctors to take high-resolution images of the macular fundus from the macula to its periphery.
ZEISS’ CLARUS 500 enables doctors to detect even the smallest changes in the course of a disease. In addition to fundus images in matching colors, the system also captures high-resolution fundus autofluorescence (FAF) images in blue and green, as well as infrared (IR) and external images. The very high resolution of the CLARUS 500, combined with intuitive testing software, allows doctors to reliably track changes.
In addition to the aforementioned diabetic retinopathy, ZEISS’ CLARUS 500 helps detect and document the size and pigmentation of choroidal nevi. Images captured with the CLARUS 500 can be divided into images of red, green and blue channels, so the visual contrast of details in some retinal layers can be improved. Imaging in colors that match the natural coloration of the fundus is also ideal for detecting abnormalities that occur over choroidal nevi, such as yellow drusen and orange lipofuscinosis. Yellow druses are usually a sign of a benign lesion, while the presence of orange lipofuscin usually indicates a suspicious lesion requiring further evaluation. Using different color channels can help distinguish choroidal lesions, which are better visualized with red light, from more superficial lesions such as CHRPE, which are better visualized with green light. Using serial fundus photography, any significant changes in size and pigmentation can be easily assessed. These lesions may indicate choroidal melanoma and require further evaluation. Infrared imaging and FAF can help visualize lipofuscin or retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) dysfunction, which may suggest a metabolically active lesion such as a small choroidal melanoma.
Because of its wide range of technical features and ease of use, the ZEISS CLARUS 500 can be the only fundus camera in any office, whether it is a multi-specialty office with a high volume of patients or a single doctor’s office.
Simple, stable and intuitive, the ZEISS CLARUS 500 is an ultra-wide-angle retinal camera that is specifically designed to optimize each patient’s experience. This ultra-modern funduscam allows you to take pictures in such a way that no shadows associated with the appearance of eyelashes or eyelids in the field of view of the lens are visible in the photograph. Live infrared retinal viewing helps the operator get sharp images without having to take multiple shots. It also allows the operator to optimize alignment while ensuring that eyelids and eyelashes do not interfere with image capture, reducing examination time and eliminating patient exposure to excessive flashes. The head and chin support allows for proper alignment of the camera. The ZEISS CLARUS 500 uses a standard slit lamp/joystick and chin rest to improve patient comfort and relieve patient stress during the examination.
The ability to rotate the device between the right and left eye allows the operator to take high-quality images without correcting the patient’s position.
The ZEISS CLARUS 500 combines an easy image acquisition platform with an intuitive user interface for seamless image viewing. Sequential imaging of lesions is simplified by dragging forward the annotation of the previous image. Evaluation of several images simultaneously, including different color channels and FAF, is improved by coordinating images to the same retinal location and magnification.