The optomap retinal exam offers a panoramic view of the back of a person's eye (the retina). The view provided by the optomap shows up to 80% of the retina without dilating the patient's eyes.
How does the Optomap
The patient places his eye to be photographed until the instrument and assistant positions the patient's physician for a photograph and taking a picture. The optomap capture his image in only 1 / 4 second. The photographer takes two pictures and evaluates images. If the image looks good, the same is repeated in the second eye. The captured image allows the physician to see up to 80% of the back of the retina at a time. The image can be enlarged or manipulated for a better view. Written notes may accompany the image file that needs to be emailed to the patient or another doctor. Different wavelengths of laser light that is used to make the image can be filtered to allow different levels of the retina to be evaluated.
Why is better than the dilation
The optomap not necessarily better than dilatation. The optomap retinal exam is a great tool to use in addition to expansion or when a patient is unable or unwilling to be dilated.
In some cases the point of view provided by the optomap is higher than that of pupil dilation. For example, a patient who is very sensitive to light often refuse to have their pupils dilated for the pain experienced due to bright lights. The view offered by the dilated doctor at a very photosensitive patient is often insufficient because it is difficult for the patient to keep her eyes open or look in the right direction. The capture optomap an image with a brief flash that even light-sensitive patients have no objection to allowing the doctor to see results without discomfort to the patient. The optomap allows retinal examination more comfortable. The optomap can be used as a tool for assessing the health of the retina, which allows the physician to focus the examination of retinal extensive in the areas that require a better view or further investigation.
By comparing the medical view of his eye through an undilated pupil, with an instrument called direct ophthalmoscope, approximately 10% of the back of the retina can be seen. But to reach this point of view requires a cooperative patient with good fixation. A wider view is achieved through a dilated, with an instrument that is placed on the doctor's head is called a binocular indirect ophthalmoscope (BIO). To achieve this broader view, requires a cooperative patient with good fixation and 20 minutes to allow the drops to dilate the pupils. Eyes the patient will remain dilated for 4 to 6 hours and may experience blurred during that time. By having the patient look in different directions, while the doctor adjusts its light and a lens to have in your hand, the opinion given by the binocular indirect ophthalmoscope can be increased to almost 100% of the back of the retina. One of the biggest advantages of examination of a fund expansion of the retina with a binocular indirect ophthalmoscope is that it allows the doctor to see the fundus 3D or "stereo vision". A good retinal camera allows the examiner to see about 30% of the back of the eye of a patient at a time. By taking multiple images and arm together up to 60% fundus can be seen with a retinal camera.
Who is the recommended Optomap
The short answer is almost universally is a good candidate for the optomap retinal exam. We found, however, that some of the best candidates for optomap are those patients who can not or will not be dilated, children, anyone with a history of retinal problems and people who are sensitive to light.
It is in the best interest of their eye health to have an assessment health of the retina of the eye during his annual eye exam is more comprehensive than a traditional exam, eye undilated. Both the optomap retinal exam and a dilated eye exam meet that standard.
© 2008 – Total Eye Care
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