Our eyes offer us the sight through which we can indulge in experiences within the world around us. Each eye consists of a retina composed of millions of light-sensitive cells known as photoreceptors. The study of a retina helps optometrists near you detect its health and any underlying condition.
A retinal imaging test is a direct way to diagnose a retina, but is it still ideal to count on its results in 2024?
Understanding The Retina
The photoreceptors in the retina convert the light into electrical signals, which the optic nerve sends to the brain, where they are interpreted as visual information.
Apart from this fundamental function, the retina also takes care of ocular functions. Monitoring changes in these ocular functions helps medical professionals determine broader health issues that may be evident.
Understanding Retinal Imaging
Per the namesake, retinal imaging concerns taking images of the various retinal blood vessels located inside the eye. The images are taken after applying dilating drops to the eyes that enlarge pupils to make retina visualization simpler.
Retinal imaging is performed using multiple but specific methods proven to deliver various applications and beneficial results.
- Fundus Photography
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
- Fluorescein Angiography
What Can Retinal Imaging Detect?
The medically approved retinal imaging performed by an optometrist near you can detect various eye conditions, in addition to certain cardiovascular and auto-immune diseases.
- Macular Degeneration: Identifying signs of (age-related) Macular Degeneration - a leading cause of vision impairment in older adults helps to counter its effects or treat it on time.
- Glaucoma: Study of increased intraocular pressure and damage to optic nerve helps identify optic & rental nerve damage.
- Retinal Detachment: Detection of tears or detachment in the retina helps to take prompt surgical actions that prevent vision loss or impairment.
- Refractive Errors: Diagnosing refractive errors like myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism enables offering solutions that serve to assist visual abilities.
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Changes in the optic nerve that are indicative of multiple sclerosis enable ophthalmologists to identify required corrective treatments.
- Diabetic Retinopathy: The diagnosis of diabetes-linked eye disease can help to take early actions to prevent significant vision loss.
- Hypertensive Retinopathy: Changes caused by hypertension, like narrowing, leakage, or hemorrhages, can be diagnosed with retinal imaging.
- Infections & Inflammations: Detection of eye infections, including inflammation such as uveitis, helps with seeking necessary immediate medical treatments.
Retinal Imaging Process
After you schedule an appointment with any optometrists near you, they will dilate your eyes to scan them using a special laser for up to 5 minutes.
Upon the detection of suspected macular degeneration signs, a special body-safe dye will be injected via IV that helps to highlight the blood vessels in the eye. The highlighted blood vessels can accurately portray the health of the retina, leading to making necessary medical decisions for further treatment(s).
Note: Patients who have undergone a retinal imaging test may experience dilated eyes and light sensitivity for up to four hours. Additionally, patients are advised not to wear contact lenses to prevent staining them if they have been administered body-safe dye.
Does Retinal Imaging Help At All?
A Retinal Imaging test is still a highly recommended solution for testing underlying retinal conditions and several health ailments. From detecting signs of slow vision loss to identifying early signs of critical vision impairments, its uses are still effectively helping worldwide optometrists offer first-class vision care.
