24-18
Apr
Your optometrist employs various diagnostic tools during an eye exam, and one of these is a retinal scan. But what exactly is a retinal scan, and how does it work? Keep reading to discover more about this instrument, including its function, mechanism, and the diseases it can assist in identifying.
A retinal scan takes several photos of the back of your eye, visualizing your retina, optic disc, and blood vessels. Optometrists typically use a device called an ophthalmoscope to look at the back of the eye.
Your eye doctor can use a retinal scan to identify eye diseases that aren’t visibly noticeable. Your optometrist can save these images for monitoring a condition’s progression or how your healing process is going.
A retinal scan aids your optometrist in diagnosing various eye conditions that can have a significant impact on your vision. Certain conditions are challenging to diagnose accurately without a thorough examination of the eye's structures.
With a retinal scan, your optometrist can diagnose the following conditions:
Diabetes can be challenging, and fluctuating blood sugar levels can affect your vision. Diabetic retinopathy can develop as a result, affecting the blood vessels in your eyes. This condition manifests in two forms:
1. Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy: In this stage, the blood vessels in the retina weaken, leading to the formation of microaneurysms. These bulges can cause fluid leakage into the retina.
2. Proliferative diabetic retinopathy: This advanced stage involves reduced circulation to the retinal tissue, prompting the development of fragile new blood vessels. These vessels can rupture, leading to blood leakage into the eye or sudden vision loss.
Both stages of diabetic retinopathy pose a risk of diabetic macular edema, where retinal tissue swells, obscuring the macula. The macula is crucial for central vision, and damage to it can significantly impair eyesight.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that affects your central vision, leaving your peripheral vision intact.
AMD develops as the aging process affects the macula, responsible for central vision. There are two forms of AMD:
1. Dry AMD: This condition causes vision blurring as the macula thins.
2. Wet AMD: In this condition, abnormal blood vessels leak fluid and blood into the macula.
Dry AMD progresses gradually, while wet AMD requires immediate medical attention. While AMD doesn't lead to complete blindness, it can impair activities like recognizing faces and driving. Regular visits to your optometrist can help protect your vision.
Glaucoma is a progressive group of diseases that can harm your optic nerve, affecting approximately 3 million Americans, particularly those over 60 years old.
Without early treatment, glaucoma can cause irreversible and severe vision loss. Unfortunately, symptoms may not be noticeable until your vision is affected. While increased eye pressure is a common sign, it's not present in every form of the disease.
Common types of glaucoma include:
1. Open-angle glaucoma
2. Closed-angle glaucoma
3. Normal-tension glaucoma
Glaucoma usually advances slowly, but closed-angle glaucoma requires immediate medical attention. Regular eye exams are essential to detect glaucoma early.
A retinal scan can aid your optometrist in identifying these diseases before they impact your vision negatively. What should you expect during your retinal scan?
During your retinal scan, you'll rest your chin and forehead on a support to keep your head steady. You'll keep your eyes wide open, focusing on an object in front of you. A laser will scan your eye, capturing images that will be uploaded to a computer for your optometrist to evaluate.
This test is quick, usually taking around 5 minutes to complete.
After the scan, the images of your eye will be ready for viewing, and your optometrist will discuss their findings with you. If any eye conditions are detected, your eye doctor can recommend a personalized treatment plan to address your specific needs.
NEWSLETTER SIGNUP
Keep in touch with us. We usually send about one update email monthly
Subscribe and receive our brochure