Technology

Optomap Retinal Exam

Dilation is very important to an eye examination. But with our newest technologies, we now offer the option of doing pictures of the back of the eye, called retinal photography. Below you will find more information on this technology. Please check it out, as prior to your exam, you will be asked if this is a technology you would be interested in taking advantage of.

What is Optos?

The Optomap Retinal Exam is used by your eye doctor to get an ultra-wide field view of the retina (the back of the eye). This retinal photography allows us to actually evaluate the health of up to 200 degrees of the eye. It is a painless, quick procedure that can be crucial for early detection of common diseases, such as glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration, and even cancer.

Why is the retina important?

It is important to make sure that your retina is healthy. An unhealthy retina cannot send clear signals and this can result in impaired vision or blindness. If detected early, most retinal conditions and other diseases can be treated successfully.

Although you may see clearly, it is still important to have your retina checked. The retina has no nerve endings to interpret pain so there may be a problem that you are not aware of.

Will I need to be dilated, does it hurt?

An optomap takes only seconds to perform, is not painful, and typically does not require dilation. However, for some patients, dilation may still be required.

Is the Optos covered by my insurance?

Some insurances cover the Optos exam under specific plans. Please call us for more details about your insurance coverage.

Optical Coherence Tomography

An Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scan enables eye doctors to see all ten layers of the retina (8 layers are labeled below). A basic eye exam only allows the doctor to see the top layer. At 3D Vision we INCLUDE this advanced screening tool into your comprehensive eye exam.

An OCT scan is quick, painless and allows the eye doctor to see inside the whole eye. This enables doctors to catch any tumors, thinning, or swelling in the back of the eye which all can cause vision loss.

Optical Coherence Tomography is a diagnostic procedure in which a scanning light is used to create a digital cross-section image of the retina. The scanning light is aimed at the retina and a computer senses the amount of light reflected by the retina to create the cross-section image. This allows the thickness of the various retinal layers to be easily displayed. This diagnostic test is used to view swelling, membranes, macular holes, as well as a variety of optic nerve diseases/degenerations. In addition to viewing these conditions, the OCT is a great tool for diagnosing and treating glaucoma.