Eye exams have come a long way from reading letters on a wall. Today’s optometrists use advanced imaging to see deep inside the eye, often detecting issues before symptoms appear. One of the most powerful innovations is ultra-widefield retinal imaging, which gives doctors a panoramic view of the back of your eye.
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Why Do I Need a Retinal Scan?
The retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of your eye, is the only place in the body where blood vessels can be viewed directly. That makes it a window into both your eye and overall health. Early signs of diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol can appear there long before you notice vision changes.
What Eye Issues Can a Retinal Scan Detect?
Capturing a baseline image and reviewing it each year allows your optometrist to track subtle changes that may indicate early stages of glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, or retinal tears, conditions that can cause vision loss if left untreated.
What is the Optomap® for Retinal Imaging?
Traditional retinal photos show only a small portion of the retina. Ultra-widefield systems, like the Optomap® used at Simon Eye, capture up to 80% of the retina in a single image, allowing doctors to detect changes in areas that standard imaging can miss.
Other advanced tools, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fundus photography, give different perspectives, some offering 3D or cross-sectional views, but all serve the same purpose: helping doctors protect your vision through early detection.
How is the Optomap® for Retinal Scanning Used?
“Technology like this transforms how we care for patients,” says Dr. Clapper of Simon Eye. “It gives us the ability to detect eye disease earlier, track changes precisely, and guide patients with confidence through every stage of their vision health. By comparing annual images, we can spot problems long before you notice them. That’s how we protect sight, not by reacting, but by detecting early.”
The scan is quick, painless, and non-invasive, making it ideal for patients of all ages.
The Future of Preventive Vision Care
As technology advances, retinal imaging is becoming a cornerstone of modern eye care. Think of it as your annual eye health benchmark, a detailed record that helps you and your doctor stay ahead of potential problems.
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At Simon Eye Associates, we’re proud to use ultra-widefield imaging to help patients see the full picture of their eye health, today and for years to come.
