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The next time you go for your annual eye checkup, chances are your eye doctor will recommend retinal imaging. This is an additional eye exam that many ophthalmologists are now carrying out. This helps improve the detailed eye exam.

Adding retinal imaging to your eye test may be necessary if you have some conditions. These conditions include diabetes, glaucoma, or age-related macular degeneration. But even if you do not have these eye conditions, retinal imaging can detect severe eye illnesses early and help you protect your vision.

What Is Retinal Imaging?

Retinal imaging or a retinal photograph is a surgery-free and totally safe technique of taking pictures of the back of your eye or retina. The technique allows your eye doctor to have a closer look at your retina, blood vessels, and optic nerve.

There are a few different types of retinal imaging that your eye doctor can use to examine your eye. They include optical coherence tomography (OCT), angiography, and fundus photography. Each of these methods has precise benefits to detecting certain problems in your eye. Your eye doctor will determine the best technique for your specific condition.

How Does Retinal Imaging Work?

Retinal imaging uses low-power lasers to take digital pictures of your retina. The light produced by the lasers goes onto your eye through the pupil. As the light passes through to the retina, it leaves images that are collected by a machine, creating a detailed picture of the retina.

Your eye doctor then looks at these pictures to check what information your retina is revealing about the health of your eye, body, and brain.

Why Is It Important?

Clearer images of the retina make it easier for your ophthalmologist to teach you about your eye health and wellness. You can look at the retinal pictures together and your doctor can identify the different parts of the retina. Then he or she will explain the eye conditions that the pictures reveal and suggest suitable treatment options.

Retinal imaging can reveal the following eye conditions.
 

• Diabetic retinopathy ' Diabetes can hurt the blood vessels in your retina and cause vision loss if not treated.

• Glaucoma ' This condition causes a buildup of fluid that can damage your optic nerve and cause irreversible vision loss.

• Age-macular degeneration ' This illness that comes with age can cause blood or fluid to leak into your retina and make your vision blurry.

• Cancer ' A dark spot in your retina may indicate a melanoma. Melanoma can grow inside your retina without being detected. If detected early, the melanoma can be treated before it causes severe damage and spread to other parts of the body. 

• Retinal detachment ' Retinas can withdraw from the wall of your eye and cause permanent loss of vision if not treated properly.

• High blood pressure ' Symptoms of high blood pressure usually appear first in the retina. Signs can include thinning of the retinal blood vessels, spots, or bleeding in the retina.

For more on how retinal imaging works and why it is important, visit Brandon Eyes at our offices in Middleton or Madison, Wisconsin. You can call (608) 833- or :(608) 833- today to book an appointment.

What is Retinal Imaging?

What is retinal imaging, and just how often should you be getting it done?

Are you interested in learning more about Laser Retinal Imaging? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

Retinal imaging is a diagnostic tool that involves taking a digital picture of the back of your eye. Whether you're currently experiencing eye issues or are at risk for certain conditions, retinal imaging is likely to be a key part of your healthcare routine.

Curious about how it works and what it detects? Our brief overview dives into the mechanics of retinal imaging, its capabilities in early disease detection, and reasons why it might be more essential to your eye health than you think. Read on to learn more about this safe, non-invasive method that's paving the way for proactive eye care.

About Retinal Imaging

Retinal imaging is a modern diagnostic tool for observing the retina located at the back of the eye. It can be used for early detection of retinal diseases or as a way to monitor an existing condition. It can also be used to ensure that the retina and other core structures at the back of the eye are healthy and intact.

For this imaging technique, doctors use a camera that uses a scanning laser to take pictures of the retina, the optic nerve, and surrounding blood vessels. It is quick, easy, pain-free, radiation-free, and perfectly safe.

Beyond the basics, a retina picture eye exam may include the use of contrast dye, such as with fluorescein angiography (FA), which reveals the health of the blood circulation in and around the retina. Other types of retinal imaging exams include fundus autofluorescence (FAF), which makes use of natural fluorescence inside the ocular structures to highlight certain diseases, and ultrasonography, which images the retina using sound waves.

The type of retinal imaging technique your doctor uses is based on what they're looking for and the current condition of your eye(s).

What to Expect During Retinal Imaging

For a standard retina picture eye exam without contrast dye, your doctor will dilate your eye with special drops and then properly position your chin and forehead on a support structure. Once you're in place, you'll stare straight ahead into a special camera that is used to take digital retinal images.

The entire process for retinal imaging usually only takes a few minutes, though some techniques may take a little bit longer. In most cases, images are available immediately, and your doctor will discuss the results with you the same day.

What Can Retinal Imaging Detect?

Retinal imaging is extremely useful for the early detection of a wide range of eye diseases. This includes:

• Diabetic retinopathy
• Macular degeneration
• Retinal detachment
• Retinal vein occlusion
• Retinal tears
• Macular pucker
• Uveitis
• Cystoid macular edema
• Central serous chorioretinopathy

In addition to serving as a diagnostic tool, retinal images can also be used to monitor the progression of eye diseases and, in some cases, reveal a link between the retinal findings and systemic conditions like diabetes.

Based on the findings of retinal imaging, your provider may recommend additional retinal diagnostic procedures to gain a deeper understanding of your condition.

How Often Should You Get a Retina Picture Eye Exam?

So, is retinal imaging necessary as part of your regular healthcare routine? That depends on factors like your age, your medical history, and your current risk factors.

If you're at high risk of retinal disease due to factors such as myopia, family history, and certain medical conditions such as diabetes, your doctor may perform retinal imaging as part of your annual eye exam. The American Association of Ophthalmology recommends the following eye exam schedule based on age:

• Newborn: Pediatricians will perform basic screening. An ophthalmologist would get involved if a baby is born prematurely, has signs of eye disease, or has a family history of childhood eye disease
• Ages 6-12 months: A second screening by the pediatrician is done.
• Ages 12-36 months: The eyes are checked for problems that can lead to amblyopia (lazy eye). If there is a problem, a child may be referred to an ophthalmologist.
• Ages 3-5: At least 1 eye exam to assess vision and eye alignment.
• Ages 6-17: Annual screening eye exams. Nearsightedness (myopia) is the most common problem in this age group.
• Ages 18-64: All adults should have a complete eye exam at age 40. However, depending on risk factors such as myopia, diabetes, and/or family history, annual eye exams may be necessary.
• Ages 65+: Eye exams every year or two.

Keep in mind that even seemingly healthy individuals can benefit from a retina picture eye exam. It is a safe and non-invasive method for the early detection of a wide range of retinal conditions, many of which do not cause pain or visual symptoms in the early stages. Research also shows the benefits of regular retinal imaging for detecting future risk of retinal disease, meaning it's as useful for disease prevention as it is for detection.

Retinal Imaging at Mid Atlantic Retina

As part of our services, we offer a variety of innovative retinal imaging techniques designed to give us key insight into the health of your retina, optic nerve, and ocular blood vessels. If you're not sure if you need retinal imaging, we recommend talking to your eye doctor during your next routine visit to discuss the process and find out if they think it would be beneficial. A retina picture eye exam is just one of several core diagnostic options for those who are experiencing eye concerns and a great tool for providing a clear picture of your retinal health.

Mid Atlantic Retina is a globally recognized retina practice with locations accessible to residents of New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. Contact us today to request an appointment with a Mid Atlantic Retina specialist!

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