In every eye care practice, the exam lane is where patient care truly comes to life. It’s the space where eye care professionals examine patients, perform diagnostic tests, discuss results, and make treatment decisions. In fact, it might be one of the most important areas in any eye clinic.

Today’s exam lanes are evolving rapidly with the help of digital technology and automation. Modern exam lane solutions integrate multiple devices and automatically flow diagnostic data between systems. This connectivity improves accuracy and reduces manual data entry.

In this testimonial video, Dr. Turner Altman, OD, shares how integrating Topcon solutions throughout his practice supports both clinical efficiency and high-quality patient care.

A Fully Integrated Technology Environment

Altman Eye Center operates multiple locations in Pikeville and Prestonsburg, Kentucky, with another clinic opening soon in Hazard. Across these locations, the practice has implemented a comprehensive technology environment, with exam lanes equipped with slit lamps, chairs, stands, and diagnostic devices designed to work seamlessly together.

One feature that stands out to Dr. Altman is the modern exam lane stand with a digital display that allows staff to adjust room lighting easily. The system can automatically adjust lighting when handheld instruments are used.

“It’s just one of those little things that uses technology to make our practice a little nicer,” says Dr. Altman.

Improving Workflow and Reducing Errors

Efficiency during the pretesting stage is critical for maintaining smooth patient flow. At Altman Eye Center, devices such as the SOLOS lensometer and an auto refractor feed data directly into the CV-5000 digital refraction system.

This integration eliminates the need for manual transcription and significantly reduces the risk of errors. It also allows clinicians and patients to easily compare previous and current prescriptions during the exam.

Solving Pretesting Bottlenecks

In the video, Dr. Altman explains that at Altman Eye Center, pretesting had been a key sticking point in patient flow, and tools like the SOLOS lensometer help keep the process moving efficiently.

While the lensometer reads a patient’s glasses, technicians can simultaneously capture additional diagnostic measurements such as autorefraction, OCT scans, and widefield imaging. This parallel workflow has significantly improved efficiency and allows the team to gather comprehensive diagnostic information without slowing down the patient visit.