No More Dilating Drops? How Optos Retinal Imaging Maps Your Eye Health in Seconds

A comprehensive eye exam is about more than checking how clearly you can see. Examining the retina can reveal important information about your eye health, including changes that may develop before you notice symptoms. At Maple Eyecare, Optos retinal imaging gives us an ultra-widefield view of the retina quickly and comfortably, helping us evaluate more of the eye during your visit.

What Is Optos Retinal Imaging?

Optos is an advanced retinal imaging system designed to capture a detailed, ultra-widefield image of the retina. The resulting image, known as an optomap, allows us to examine a broad area of the retina in a single capture.

The retina is the light-sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye. Because changes in the retina may occur without affecting vision right away, retinal imaging can provide valuable information during routine and medical eye care.

The scan itself is fast and non-invasive. You simply look into the imaging device while it captures the retinal image. We can then review the images digitally as part of your eye health evaluation.

Does Optos Mean You Never Need Dilation?

Not necessarily. One of the benefits of Optos retinal imaging is that it can provide an extensive view of the retina without dilating drops in many situations. This may make an eye exam more convenient for patients who want to avoid temporary light sensitivity or blurry near vision associated with dilation.

However, Optos does not eliminate the need for dilation in every patient. We may still recommend dilating your pupils when a closer examination is necessary based on your symptoms, medical history, retinal findings, or risk factors. Optos is another valuable tool that helps us determine the most appropriate way to evaluate your eyes.

What Can We See With Optos?

Ultra-widefield retinal imaging helps us document and monitor areas of the retina that may be difficult to evaluate with narrower imaging methods. Depending on the patient, retinal images may help us identify or monitor signs associated with:
 

• Diabetic retinopathy and changes to retinal blood vessels

• Macular degeneration

• Retinal holes, tears, or detachments

• Changes involving the optic nerve and glaucoma

• Other abnormalities affecting the central or peripheral retina

Finding changes early can be especially important because some retinal conditions may progress without noticeable symptoms.

Creating A Record Of Your Retinal Health

Another advantage of Optos retinal imaging is the ability to save images for comparison over time. Your current optomap can serve as a baseline, allowing us to compare future images and look for subtle changes in the retina.

This can be useful during routine comprehensive eye exams as well as for patients with diabetes, a family history of eye disease, higher eye health risks, or previously identified retinal concerns.

Advanced Retinal Imaging At Your Eye Exam

At Maple Eyecare, advanced diagnostic technology helps us look beyond your prescription and evaluate the health of your eyes more thoroughly. Optos retinal imaging can provide detailed information in seconds while helping us document your retinal health from one visit to the next.

Schedule your eye exam and ask about Optos retinal imaging at Maple Eyecare in Ridgewood, NJ by calling or texting (201) 444-3173.