The retina is a thin layer of tissue at the back of your eye that transforms light and images into nerve signals sent to your brain. It is a vital part of your vision and overall eye health. However, the retina can be affected by various diseases and conditions that can damage it and cause vision loss. Regular retinal exams are essential to detect and treat these problems early before they become irreversible.
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A retinal exam is a comprehensive eye exam that involves dilating your pupils with special eye drops and taking digital pictures of the inside of your eye with a high-resolution imaging system. This allows vitreoretinal specialists to see the retina, the optic nerve, and the blood vessels clearly and check for any signs of abnormalities or diseases.
A complication of diabetes, diabetic retinopathy occurs when the disease damages the retina&#;s blood vessels, causing blurry, distorted vision and even potential blindness. This condition has two stages: non-proliferative, where blood vessels in the retina become damaged and close off, and proliferative, where new, abnormal blood vessels grow in a process known as neovascularization. These weak vessels can bleed into the retina and may develop scar tissue, causing blurry, darkened, or cloudy vision. Potential retina treatments for this condition include laser photocoagulation, vitrectomy, and cryotherapy.
This degenerative condition targets the macula, the main area of the retina responsible for sharp and detailed vision. AMD can cause blurry or distorted vision, especially in the center of your visual field. There are two types of AMD: dry and wet. Dry AMD is more common and occurs when the macula thins and deteriorates over time. Wet AMD is a medical emergency that happens when abnormal blood vessels grow under the macula and leak fluid or blood, causing rapid vision loss.
This medical emergency occurs when the retina separates from the underlying layer of tissue that supports it. This can be caused by trauma, injury, inflammation, or aging. Retinal detachment can cause flashes, floaters, or a curtain-like effect in your vision. If left untreated, it can cause permanent blindness.
Click here to read more common conditions an eye exam can detect.
The frequency of retinal exams depends on your age, health, and risk factors. The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends that healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 64 have a comprehensive eye exam, including a retinal exam, at least every two years, or annually if they are 65 or older. However, some people may need more frequent retinal exams, such as:
For more information, read our blog about this here.
When it comes to your eye health, a single retinal exam can be what you need to start regaining clear vision again. Don&#;t wait until you are 40 and older for your first eye exam; start now so you can spot a potential retinal condition before it forms.
Let a retina specialist know if you have any sudden vision changes and are unsure what is causing it. The eye care doctors at Center For Sight will advise you on how often you should have a retinal exam based on your unique needs and circumstances. Book an appointment with us today.
The advice in this blog is for general informational purposes only and may not be suited for your exact insurance plan and retinal needs. Therefore, consulting a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice and treatment is essential.
About Center For Sight
Center For Sight provides ophthalmology, optometry, dermatology and cosmetic surgery services to patients in Southwest Florida. The practice offers patients convenient access to nationally renowned surgeons, highly-trained, compassionate staff members and cutting-edge technology. Center For Sight&#;s mission is to &#;bring clear vision to life&#; through trusting relationships and the unending pursuit of excellence in eye care. For additional information and locations, visit CenterForSight.net.
About Center For Sight Foundation
The Center For Sight Foundation is a donor-advised fund maintained and operated by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, a section 501(c)(3) organization. The fund is composed of contributions made by individual donors. David W. Shoemaker, M.D., established the Center For Sight Foundation to support the annual Mission Cataract program, which restores vision at no cost for people living at the poverty level suffering vision loss due to cataracts. For more information, visit CFSFoundation.org.
There&#;s more to your eyes than you can see, and the internal structures are at just as much risk of disease and damage as the surface. Fortunately, your optometrist can use modern diagnostic technology to examine your eyes from inside to out.
Retinal imaging allows your optometrist to view the back of your eyes, looking for signs of eye disease and other conditions that can affect your general health.
The retina is a layer of light-sensitive cells that line the back of your eye. When light passes through the cornea and lens, it focuses on the retina, which sends information through the optic nerve to the brain. This information is then processed to produce a clear view of the world.
Retinal imaging uses special cameras, such as Optomap imaging, to take digital pictures of the back of your eye. These pictures show the retina, the optic disk where the optic nerve connects, and the macula. Most importantly, it allows your optometrist to observe blood vessels.
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The process of taking a picture is quick and comfortable. During the process, you&#;ll look into the Optomap device, but nothing will touch your eye. The most you should experience is a brief flash as an image is taken. This means retinal imaging is suitable for the whole family, including children.
Typically, your optometrist can take a retinal image without any prep, so it can be part of your regular eye exam to monitor your changing eye health. In some rare cases, you may need to take eye drops to dilate your pupils, but this depends on other health conditions, and your optometrist typically lets you know ahead of time, allowing you to prepare for a ride home.
The American Optometric Association recommends the following schedule for comprehensive eye exams:
Depending on optometrist recommendations based on your eye health, you may need more frequent checkups.
One of the main benefits of retinal imaging is it gives a clear view of the blood vessels in your eyes. In fact, the retina is the only place where a doctor can see blood vessels directly. And since Optomap Imaging shows up to 82% of your retina, your optometrist can detect signs of disease that extend to your entire body.
The macula sits in the center of your retina and is responsible for seeing the detail of objects right in front of you. This is invaluable for driving or recognizing faces and written text.
Your blood vessels can thin and leak as you age, which can lead to dry macular degeneration&#;the most common form of the disease. Or, abnormal blood vessels could grow under your retina and cause wet macular degeneration.
Retinal imaging allows your optometrist to diagnose the signs early and slow its progression before it leads to significant vision loss.
Glaucoma typically happens when fluid builds up in your eyes and puts pressure on your optic nerve, damaging it.
Retinal imaging shows your eye doctor the optic disk, where the optic nerve connects to the retina and the blood vessels converge.
Though diabetes is mainly known for how it affects the way your body uses blood sugar, it can also damage the thin blood vessels in your eyes. In some cases, the eyes show the first signs of diabetes.
By inspecting the blood vessels that can only be seen in the retina, your optometrist can look for early warning signs of other health conditions, such as:
Retinal imaging can be a go-to test if your vision is getting worse and you don&#;t know why.
Detecting signs of eye disease early gives you a leg up when planning care. By being proactive, you can slow these life-changing conditions before they begin to affect your vision.
Total Vision Del Mar is proud to use Optomap retinal imaging to get a comprehensive view of your retina. Optomap is just one of the tools in our kit to find solutions for your eye and vision concerns.
Book an appointment with us for your next eye exam and see all that we have to offer!
For more information, please visit Retinal Camera.