Clinical Report: Elara 900 – Part 3: Efficiency in Motion

Overview

This article describes the Elara 900’s preset-driven workflow, which combines programmable illumination with motorized adjustments and integrated image and video capture to reduce repeated manual changes during slit lamp examinations. In a pilot-phase comparison based on 20 questionnaires, mean examination duration was 3.90 minutes with Elara 900 versus 4.85 minutes with a conventional BQ 900, an observed reduction of 0.95 minutes (19.6%).

Background

Slit lamp examinations involve repeated adjustments to illumination, slit geometry, magnification, filters, and device height, as well as documentation. The article describes how these manual steps recur as clinicians move between examination stages, including broad overview, anterior chamber assessment, fundus viewing, fluorescein, and tonometry. Elara 900 uses a pixel-controlled P-Type projector illumination system to enable programmable examination presets, alongside motorized magnification, yellow-filter activation, height adjustment, and image and video capture. The article presents this approach as an effort to streamline examination transitions while retaining precision.

Data Highlights

Key Findings

• Elara 900 presets are enabled by its P-Type projector illumination system, in which individually controlled pixels form slit geometry and allow changes in form and color.
• The described system combines presets with motorized magnification change, yellow-filter activation, height adjustment, and integrated image and video capture.
• In the Heidelberg University Hospital pilot-phase comparison, 20 questionnaires yielded mean examination durations of 4.85 ± 0.96 minutes with the BQ 900 and 3.90 ± 1.12 minutes with Elara 900.
• The reported duration difference was 0.95 minutes per examination, corresponding to an observed reduction of 19.6%.
• In a comparative examiner report by Filomena Ribeiro, MD, PhD, all 10 participants reported that preset use positively affected examination speed and workflow efficiency.
• William G. Gensheimer, MD, described presets as useful in high-throughput examinations, including day-one cataract postoperative visits, and said automating examination steps saved time on each examination.

Clinical Implications

The source describes presets as a way to reduce repeated manual adjustments and support transitions between examination steps; the pilot comparison reports shorter mean examination duration with Elara 900 than with the conventional BQ 900. These findings are from pre-launch pilot-phase evaluations and examiner reports, as presented in the article.

Conclusion

The article presents Elara 900 as a preset-driven slit lamp workflow intended to combine precision with fewer manual interactions. Its reported pilot data show a 19.6% reduction in mean examination duration compared with the BQ 900.

Related Resources & Content

1. the ophthalmologist, 2026 — Elara 900 – Part 1: Clarity in Focus
2. American Academy of Ophthalmology, Preferred Practice Pattern® Guidelines: Ophthalmology, 2026 — Comprehensive Adult Medical Eye Evaluation Preferred Practice Pattern
3. Royal College of Ophthalmologists, 2026 — College statement: Outpatient productivity and clinic template design
4. Development and Implementation of an Ambulatory Orders-Based Ophthalmology Imaging Workflow, 2026
5. the ophthalmologist — Elara 900 – Part 1: Clarity in Focus
6. the ophthalmologist — Elara 900 – Part 1: Clarity in Focus
7. the ophthalmologist — Elara 900 – Part 1: Clarity in Focus
8. Preferred Practice Pattern® Guidelines: Ophthalmology
9. College statement: Outpatient productivity and clinic template design
10. Development and Implementation of an Ambulatory Orders-Based Ophthalmology Imaging Workflow