OSMH Keeps an Eye on Patient Care with Eye Chart Upgrade in Emergency Department

Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH) is thrilled to announce the installation of a new digital eye chart in its Emergency Department. This modern upgrade comes as a long-awaited replacement for the hospital’s previous eye chart, which served the department for 24 years and is no longer in production.

Thanks to the generous support of community donations, OSMH’s Emergency Department now has access to the highest standard of equipment for emergency eye exams, enhancing both the quality and inclusivity of patient care.

Eye charts are a critical diagnostic tool in emergency settings. They help healthcare providers detect changes in vision, identify foreign bodies in the eye, and assess for signs of concussions or other injuries. Eye exams can also provide early indications of more serious health conditions, such as strokes, and help rule out significant medical issues. Every emergency department is equipped with an eye chart as part of standard care.

At OSMH, the eye examination room sees at least five patients each day—amounting to more than 1,500 patients annually—making the new digital eye chart an essential addition to the department’s daily operations.

The new digital eye chart brings a range of innovative features to support patients of all ages and abilities. This advanced model includes symbols and graphics that go beyond the standard English alphabet, accommodating patients with language or hearing barriers. Its adaptability makes it especially valuable for child examinations, as it plays engaging videos to help keep children focused during their exams. A digital eye chart works through a monitor that the healthcare professionals can control with a remote. The image is then reflected by a mirror facing the patient. This new technology represents a major step forward in making eye care accessible and comfortable for everyone.

Joice Anthony, Program Manager of the Emergency Department at OSMH, emphasizes the impact of this investment: “Anything we can do to invest in routine operations improves the quality of care we can provide and will make a big difference in many lives. We are thankful for the community support that led to the purchase of our new digital eye chart. It’s a crucial part of enhancing quality care at Soldiers’ by investing in our team and Emergency Department.”

Community support makes all the difference in our hospital. Every donation plays a role in equipping our hospital with the tools they need to be a leader in enhanced, quality care close to home. To support critical upgrades at Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, please visit http://www.osmhfoundation.ca/donate.