Optomap

Your retina, which sits at the back of each eye, is unique because it is the only location in your body where eye doctors can view your blood vessels directly during a routine exam. Not only do the blood vessels of your retina provide clues about eye diseases like macular degeneration and glaucoma, but they can also provide useful information about other health conditions. Diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and stroke are just four typical examples.

Early detection of disease involving the eyes is critical to achieving the best long-term outcome. A new screening tool for optometrists called Optomap makes it easier for them to evaluate eye health and provide patients with information about other serious diseases. Before Optomap, optometrists could only view the front of the eye during an exam. This tool enables eye doctors to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the retina, which is especially important for patients as they age.

How Does Optomap Work?

The first thing you should know about Optomap is that you will not experience any discomfort when your optometrist uses it to evaluate your retinal health. The machine never touches your eye. Your optometrist places the Optomap equipment in front of one eye at a time and asks you to look through it. As you do, the device takes a picture of each eye. The bright light created by Optomap lets you know that it has taken a picture.

Most patients won’t need to have their eyes dilated while their eye doctor captures the two retinal images using Optomap. Your provider may recommend using them if your eye health is poor. After obtaining each three-dimensional image, your provider will show them to you right away. You see exactly what your optometrist sees in real time.

Optomap Produces No Side Effects

Eye doctors across the country have used Optomap millions of times without reporting any patient side effects. Optomap is non-invasive, and the scanning lasers attached to the equipment contain no radiation. The procedure is quick, painless, and could potentially save your life by detecting a serious or chronic health condition before you even exhibit any symptoms of it. 

Sources:

optomap, UWF Retinal Imaging | Product & Provider Information – Optomap