Benefits of Optomap Retinal Imaging

Did you know that it is possible for an eye doctor to see blood vessels in your retina directly? This means that it is possible to identify eye conditions during a retinal examination. Doctors can also see signs of other conditions, such as diabetes, stroke, hypertension, and heart disease, in the retina.

 

Traditional Retinal Examination Method

The traditional method of examining the retina referred to as dilation required the use of eye drops. In addition to enlarging the pupil area, these eye drops often caused blurry vision for several hours. They required approximately 30 minutes to take effect.

 

Patients also had to endure a further 15 minutes or so of evaluation with a magnifying glass and bright light source. Given maximum pupil dilation, a cooperative patient, and an experienced clinician, the resulting evaluation would be similar to Optomap. However, Optomap saves tons of time.

 

Optomap Retinal Imaging

Optomap retinal imaging is a groundbreaking diagnostic instrument. This ultra-wide retinal exam allows eye care specialists to view most of the retina. They use a special camera to capture high-resolution digital images of a patient’s retina in one shot. This form of retinal examination is easy for patients, and it only takes a few minutes to complete. The images captured are immediately available for review.

 

This type of imaging takes a 200-degree picture of your retina, located at the back of your eye. The image shows the retina, optic disk, and blood vessels. This helps your ophthalmologist or optometrist determine the health of your eyes and find signs of any other health condition. This form of retinal imaging allows eye doctors to get a wider digital view of the retina, as compared to the look they would get while using an ophthalmoscope.

 

Retinal imaging does not replace the regular eye examination. However, it adds an extra layer of precision. Eye doctors often recommend it if a patient has any of the following conditions:

 

• Glaucoma

• Macular degeneration

• Diabetes

• Retinal toxicity

• Eye tumors

• Retinal detachments
  
   

Benefits of Retinal Imaging

For most people, retinal imaging is not necessary. It does, however, provide an effective tool for assessing eye and retina health. This can be critical during technically complicated examinations. If you choose to undergo retinal imaging, you should ensure that it complements and is not a substitute for a standard eye examination. Some of the benefits of Optomap retinal imaging include:

 

Comfort

Since this form of retinal imaging does not require pupil dilation, you will not need to endure eye drops. Consequently, you will not experience light sensitivity and blurred vision after the examination. This is especially advantageous when it comes to examining children’s eye health.

 

Most kids hate eye drops just as much as they loathe shots. It can be quite difficult to convince a kid to sit patiently and let you put in eye drops. Usually, crying, screaming, and kicking ensues, which leads to frustration and wasted time for both the doctor and the parent.

 

Time

One of the most precious resources people have is time. By using Optomap retinal imaging, clinicians are able to save lots of time. They can take digital photos of both eyes in less than 30 seconds. With traditional methods of retinal examination, they had to wait for the dilation eye drops to take effect.

 

Eye Health

Detecting subtle changes and eye disease using retinal imaging is easy and quick. Using high-definition digital images, clinicians are able to compare a patient’s retinal images year after year. Consequently, they are able to identify any changes in eye health. The digital images are part of patients’ permanent medical records.

 

Learn more about the benefits of Optomap retinal imaging, contact Coers Family Eyecare in Columbus, Indiana at (812)408-8400 to book an appointment.