Why it’s called Wi’ Clinic?

  • Wi’ in Salt River O’odham Piipaash Language means Eye.

What is an Ultra Wide Imaging Camera?

  • Ultra wide field imaging systems are specialized cameras that can image up to 200 degrees of the retina. Our camera at RPHC can do 200 degrees with only 2 photos. However, what makes this camera outstanding compare to other ultra wide field cameras is that it captures an extremely High-Resolution image down to 7 microns. To give an idea, the average thickness of a regular copy paper is over 70 microns. That clarity allows seeing subtle indications of disease anywhere in the retina. The peripheral retina can be photographed with small pupils in instances where dilated peripheral fundus examination may be limited due to pupil size. Besides Retinopathy screening, imaging provides valuable information about the peripheral vasculature and other retinal lesions that might otherwise be missed with traditional wide imaging systems.

Is Wi’ Clinic Services same as a Dilated Fundus Exam (DFE)?

  • Even though retinal imaging techniques are essential for diagnosis and management of disease processes, dilation is still requisite especially when symptoms of new floaters and flashes of lights. Best examination is to do both imaging and DFE.

How does the Wi’ Clinic work?

Doctors or other healthcare providers on site at RPHC identify patient with established diabetes who has not undergone a qualifying diabetic retinal evaluation in the past 365 days and simply send individual to the Eye Clinic Department.

Primary Care Provider: “I noted you haven’t had a Retinopathy Screening for over a year. After your exam with me today, I recommend you stop at to our Eye Clinic on second floor, no appointment needed they will be happy to work with you!” It is that SIMPLE!

  • Potentiate patient’s visit to RPHC, patient is on site: Let’s do more, Wi’ Care!
  • Faster service/screening than typical referral to eye clinic.
  • Result is communicated right after the image is taken.
  • Patient and eye provider review the image together.
  • Immediate referral to Retinologist when vision-threatening retinopathy is detected while showing patient with images why referral is needed.
  • Immediate referral to cataract surgery when no view of retina due to advance cataract.
  • Excellent diagnostic (ultra wide field + high resolution) and essential monitoring tool on follow up eye examination.
  • Opportunity to focus on the importance of blood sugar control associating A1C and blood glucose numbers to the impact inside the eyes of uncontrolled diabetes.
  • Ability to diagnose other pathologies and inform patients by showing them with the image why it is important to follow up. (Glaucoma, hypertensive retinopathy, retinal tear, tumor etc.)
  • Visual learner: patient understands better their condition and the importance of follow up.
  • Thank you for coming to the Wi’ Clinic!