Glaucoma typically happens when fluid builds up in your eyes and puts pressure on your optic nerve, damaging it. Retinal imaging allows your optometrist to diagnose the signs early and slow its progression before it leads to significant vision loss. Or, abnormal blood vessels could grow under your retina and cause wet macular degeneration. Your blood vessels can thin and leak as you age, which can lead to dry macular degeneration- the most common form of the disease. This is invaluable for driving or recognizing faces and written text. The macula sits in the center of your retina and is responsible for seeing the detail of objects right in front of you. And since Optomap Imaging shows up to 82% of your retina, your optometrist can detect signs of disease that extend to your entire body. In fact, the retina is the only place where a doctor can see blood vessels directly. One of the main benefits of retinal imaging is it gives a clear view of the blood vessels in your eyes. The American Optometric Association recommends the following schedule for comprehensive eye exams:ĭepending on optometrist recommendations based on your eye health, you may need more frequent checkups. In some rare cases, you may need to take eye drops to dilate your pupils, but this depends on other health conditions, and your optometrist typically lets you know ahead of time, allowing you to prepare for a ride home. Typically, your optometrist can take a retinal image without any prep, so it can be part of your regular eye exam to monitor your changing eye health. How Often Should I Have Retinal Imaging Done? This means retinal imaging is suitable for the whole family, including children. The most you should experience is a brief flash as an image is taken. During the process, you’ll look into the Optomap device, but nothing will touch your eye. The process of taking a picture is quick and comfortable. Most importantly, it allows your optometrist to observe blood vessels. These pictures show the retina, the optic disk where the optic nerve connects, and the macula. Retinal imaging uses special cameras, such as Optomap imaging, to take digital pictures of the back of your eye. This information is then processed to produce a clear view of the world. When light passes through the cornea and lens, it focuses on the retina, which sends information through the optic nerve to the brain. The retina is a layer of light-sensitive cells that line the back of your eye. Retinal imaging allows your optometrist to view the back of your eyes, looking for signs of eye disease and other conditions that can affect your general health. Fortunately, your optometrist can use modern diagnostic technology to examine your eyes from inside to out. There’s more to your eyes than you can see, and the internal structures are at just as much risk of disease and damage as the surface.

Eye retina picture