What does a retinal photo show?

Retinal imaging takes a digital picture of the back of your eye. It shows the retina (where light and images hit), the optic disk (a spot on the retina that holds the optic nerve, which sends information to the brain), and blood vessels.

What diseases can retinal imaging detect?

Why are retinal photos important?

Pictures of the back of your eye will show your retina, blood vessels, and optic nerve. The images let your eye doctor detect certain eye or health issues and treat them early to prevent them from becoming severe. Retinal imaging is non-invasive and appropriate for all ages.

Can retinal imaging detect detachment?

Retinal Detachment

For patients who report seeing flashes of light or floaters, you can quickly find evidence that the retina has become detached with retinal imaging. Retinal detachment is a medical emergency that requires prompt treatment to prevent permanent vision loss, so early detection is key.

Can retinal imaging detect tumor?

Cancer – also known as melanoma, cancer of the eye can be detected early using retinal imaging, allowing early treatment to prevent spreading to other areas of the body.

What's digital retinal photography?

Does retinal imaging show glaucoma?

Using retinal imaging technology to view the optic nerve in tandem with visual field testing can detect early signs of glaucoma.

Is a retinal photo necessary?

Retinal eye exams are not necessary with every eye exam. Your doctor will help you determine whether you should get a retinal eye exam based on your health, family history and any symptoms you may be experiencing.

Does retinal imaging replace dilation?

Eye dilation is an important part of the eye exam. However, some patients may be curious about alternatives, including retinal digital imaging. Here, the doctors at Access Eye discuss why Optos retinal digital imaging doesn't replace dilation.

What can Opticians see behind the eye?

The Optician uses an ophthalmoscope or Volk lens to examine the retina at the back of the eye, including the blood vessels and the front of the optic nerve. This important test can detect changes which can indicate diseases such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

What are the symptoms of a tumor behind the eye?

Can a retinal scan detect diabetes?

This device scans the eye with a blue light, measuring the intensity of light emitted by the eye. When there's too much sugar in a patient's body, sugar molecules start binding to proteins in the lens of the eye. A higher measure corresponds to higher levels of glucose build-up in the eye.

What do spots on the retina mean?

Most eye floaters are caused by age-related changes that occur as the jelly-like substance (vitreous) inside your eyes becomes more liquid. Microscopic fibers within the vitreous tend to clump and can cast tiny shadows on your retina. The shadows you see are called floaters.

Can your eyes indicate health problems?

Blurred vision usually means you need glasses — but you should have your eyes checked no matter what. Not only can blurred vision signal a medical problem with the eye itself (like cataracts or macular degeneration), it can also be a sign of a more serious illness like diabetes.

Can an eye exam detect neurological problems?

Brain tumors.

When a brain tumor forms and causes swelling and increased pressure in the brain, your optometrist can see its impact in the back of your eye. There may also be pressure on the optic nerve that your eye doctor can detect.

What are doctors looking for when they shine a light in your eyes?

You've seen it on television: A doctor shines a bright light into an unconscious patient's eye to check for brain death. If the pupil constricts, the brain is OK, because in mammals, the brain controls the pupil.

Can the retina be seen without dilation?

The Optomap Retinal Exam is a non-dilating camera that captures a digital image of the retina. The Optomap allows the doctor to capture a 200° high-resolution image of the retina in a single shot-- without dilation -- in a quarter of a second.

How often should you have retinal imaging?

In general, it's recommended that those aged 20 to 39 should undergo an eye exam every five years, those aged 40 to 54 every 2 to 4 years, those aged 55 to 64 every 1 to 3 years, and those aged 65 and above every one to two years.

Does a retinal exam hurt?

Using the slit lamp, your doctor moves the tonometer to touch your cornea and determine the eye pressure. Because your eye is numbed, the test doesn't hurt.

How much does retinal photography cost?

Charges of $30 to $60 for screening retinal photography are common. These fees are not generally covered by third-party payers. I know of practices in which over 80 percent of patients agree to have digital retinal imaging despite the added cost.

What illnesses can be seen in the eyes?

What does an unhealthy retina look like?

If the damage is near the macula, one could notice various visual effects such as general poor vision, distortion of images such as straight lines appearing wavy, blurry spots in one's central vision, and/or vision with images appearing and disappearing. Typical symptoms of a damaged retina include: Dim central vision.

What eyes can reveal about health?

Can retina problems be cured?

Yes, in many cases an eye doctor can repair a damaged retina. While a patient may not experience completely restored vision, retinal repair can prevent further vision loss and stabilize vision. It's important that patients get treatment for their damaged retinas as soon as possible.

What are the warning signs of a detached retina?

What do retinal abnormalities include?

The abnormalities include lattice degeneration, retinal holes and retinal tears. These conditions put patients at risk for a retinal detachment which can results in severe vision loss. The abnormalities can be detected during a dilated retinal examination and many can be followed through observation.