Better Eye Care with the Comprehensive Digital Retina Exam
Modern comprehensive eye exams incorporate digital retinal imaging technology such as the Zeiss Clarus 500, Optovue Angio, or the Optomap Digital Retinal Exam. High-tech instruments permit us to perform a comprehensive digital retinal exam which allows us to detect many eye diseases earlier. By using these instruments, we can achieve a panoramic view of the retina. With this technology, we can evaluate all of the retinal layers without dilation or X-Rays.
Because of their concern about retinal problems such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinal holes or detachments, and systemic diseases such as diabetes, stroke and high blood pressure the eye doctors at Total Eye Care have elected to invest in this technology. Patients are awed by the image clarity and comprehensive nature of the Comprehensive Digital Retinal Exam.
Digital Panoramic Retinal Exam
There are two components to the Comprehensive Digital Retinal Exam. The first part provides a high resolution, panoramic view of the retina. This is accomplished with the Zeiss Clarus 500 Ultra-widefield Fundus Camera or the Optomap Ultra-widefield Retinal Camera. These special scanning laser ophthalmoscopes allow us to see most of the back of the eye without dilating the pupils. These instruments give the doctor a view of the retinal surface.
Optical Coherence Tomography
The second part of the Comprehensive Digital Retinal Exam is the Optovue Angio Retinal Exam or OCT. This scanning laser ophthalmoscope uses high-resolution ultrasound allowing your eye doctor to evaluate the specific deep layers of the retina. The OCT combines Hundreds of high-resolution ultrasounds permitting your eye doctor to view all retinal layers. This information is then compared to an FDA approved, standardized database to help your eye doctor evaluate how likely you are to develop ocular conditions such as glaucoma, diabetes, macular edema, and macular degeneration.
Who Should Have the Comprehensive Digital Retinal Exam
Because of its ability to give a panoramic view of the back of the eye all patients, regardless of age, should have the digital panoramic retinal exam. In a flash, literally, the doctors can see most of the retina. This is especially helpful for light-sensitive patients.
The Optovue Angio OCT is the second part of the comprehensive digital retinal exam. Due to the increased frequency of various eye conditions with age, it is recommended that all patients over 30 opt for both of these tests.
