WAM 800 - The All in One Automated System for Comprehensive Refraction and Anterior Segment Analysis

WAM 800 (Wave Analyzer Medica 800) is an advanced anterior segment screening device from Essilor, France. Utilizing cutting-edge Wavefront technology, it offers a comprehensive screening program that takes only 2 minutes to complete.

What is Wavefront Technology?

The device emits light beams into the eye and analyzes the path of the reflected light. This data is used to create a Wavefront Map, which identifies vision imperfections unique to each individual. It can measure :

• Lower-order aberrations : Nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
  
  
• High-order aberrations : Complex vision errors that standard refractometers cannot detect, allowing for more precise and detailed vision correction.

Key Functions and Features

1. Comprehensive Vision Analysis

• Objective Refraction : Automated measurement of refractive errors.
• Pupillometry : Measures pupil size to evaluate vision quality in low-light or nighttime conditions.
• Accommodation : Measures the eye's focusing ability to assess digital eye strain (asthenopia).
• Aberration Coefficients : Analyzes light distortion to evaluate detailed vision quality, helping in the selection of the most suitable lens coatings.

The test results show your vision power for both day and night. It includes a simulation of how you see without glasses and assesses eye fatigue by measuring your eyes' maximum focusing power (Amplitude of Accommodation).

Sample test results showing Aberration Coefficients and their effects on daytime and nighttime vision.

2. Corneal Analysis (Topography) 
Corneal health is vital for vision quality, especially for detecting conditions like Keratoconus.

• Corneal Topography : Maps the cornea using a Placido Ring (analyzing over 100,000 points) to assess the risk of Keratoconus.
  
• Keratometry : Measures corneal curvature to determine the correct base curve for contact lenses.
  

Examination results displaying K-values for contact lens base curve selection and a visual map of the corneal curvature.

3. Cataract Screening
Infrared Retro-Illumination Provides detailed images of the crystalline lens to analyze opacity and screen for cataracts without the need for pupil-dilating drops.

Sample test results showing crystalline lens opacity (left image). The degree of opacity can be graded and compared using the device's built-in software (right image)

4. Glaucoma Risk Assessment

• Tonometry : Measures Intraocular Pressure (IOP) using non-contact technology to screen for glaucoma risk.
• Pachymetry : Measures corneal thickness and the Anterior Chamber Angle (ACA) for a more accurate IOP reading and health assessment.

Test results displaying individual and average eye pressure readings (top) and anterior chamber angle (ACA) visualizations for each eye (bottom).

Article Compiled by Yo Chularat, O.D. (Doctor of Optometry)
Optometrist at GOOD VISION Eyecare

Lamphun Branch
Location: Charoen Rat Soi 13 (before the Pratu Pa intersection)
Tel: 090-3282445
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Location: C-Park Project, on the main road opposite Prince Royal's College
Tel: 092-4959444