Frequently Asked Questions
Optomap Retinal Exam
Optos is a leading medical technology company for the design, development, manufacturing and marketing of retinal imaging devices. Retinal imaging is an important tool for the screening and diagnosis of eye problems, such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts, retinal holes/retinal tears and age-related macular degeneration. It can also indicate evidence of non-eye diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension and certain cancers.
What is an Optomap Retinal Exam?
An Optomap Retinal Exam is a comprehensive method of evaluating, monitoring, and helping treat various eye conditions. This previously unavailable medical technology assists your doctor in viewing the retina to detect abnormalities and early signs of eye disease, as well as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and cancer.
Is the Optomap Retinal Exam appropriate for small children?
The Optomap Retinal Exam is much easier and more comfortable than conventional tests, which makes it ideally suited for children of all ages. It is recommended that children from a young age begin to have annual Optomap images taken, making it easier for doctors to detect early signs of disease and abnormalities. Statistics suggest that one child in the world goes blind every minute, yet 80% of blindness is avoidable (60% treatable, 20% preventable).
What are some of the diseases that can be detected with the Optomap Retinal Exam?
A comprehensive eye exam, including a thorough retinal exam, can detect early signs of numerous diseases that affect not only your eyes and your sight, but your overall health, including cancer, hypertension, age-related macular degeneration, retinal detachment, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy.
Does Lake Region Eye Center perform Optomap Retinal Exams?
Yes. Our optometrists are qualified to perform the procedure, analyze the Optomap images, diagnose any optical conditions or abnormalities, and monitor the continued health of your eyes.
How is the procedure performed?
The procedure is simple and takes just minutes. It is fast, painless, and comfortable for patients. A small, upright machine is used, and patients simply place their eye in front of a lens, much like that of a camera. The machine then scans the retina and records the digital image. From children to seniors, the Optomap allows our doctors to view your retina quickly and in a noninvasive manner.
What are the benefits of the Optomap Retinal Exam over routine eye exams?
Routine retinal examination methods provide only a limited, narrow-field view of the retina, typically less than 5% in a single capture. Such examinations can therefore miss eye and non-eye disorders or diseases, including those in the periphery of the retina, where many indicators of such diseases and precursors to eye conditions are often first exhibited. Typically, to capture a greater percentage of the retina using traditional methods, the patient’s eye must be dilated, which can cause patient discomfort, and multiple images of the retina must be taken, at additional cost and time to the practitioner.
How often should an Optomap Retinal Exam be performed?
We recommend doing an Optomap Exam every year when you have your annual eye exam. The Optomap Exam provides a permanent record of the condition of your retina, which allows our doctors to compare each year’s Optomap image side by side to discover even subtle changes and monitor your continuing eye health. This allows for early detection of retinal disorders, which is critical to preventing serious progression and loss of vision.