The Optomap® Retinal Exam - Eye Exams Without Dilation
The optomap® Retinal Exam provides a panoramic view of the back of a person's eye (the retina). The view provided by the Optomap displays over 80% of the retina.
How Does the Optomap Work
The patient places their eye to be photographed up to the instrument and the doctor's assistant positions the patient for a photograph and takes the picture. The Optomap captures its image in only 1/4 of a second. The photographer takes two photos and evaluates the images. If the images look good the same thing is repeated on the second eye.
The optomap® Retinal Exam was Featured on the TV Show The Doctors.
Why is This Better Than Dilation
The Optomap is not necessarily better than dilation. The optomap® Retinal Exam is a great tool to use in addition to dilation or when a patient can't, or doesn't want to be dilated.
In some cases the view provided by the Optomap is
superior to that of pupil dilation. For example, a patient
that is very light sensitive will often refuse to have their pupils
dilated because of the pain they experience. The dilated view
of a very photosensitive patient is often poor because it is
difficult for the patient to keep their eyes open or to look in the
appropriate direction. The Optomap captures an image with a brief
flash that even light sensitive patients do not object to, allowing
the to doctor view the results without discomfort to the patient.
The Optomap allows for a more comfortable retinal exam.
The top image to the right compares the doctor's view of your eye through an undilated pupil with an instrument called a direct ophthalmoscope (inner ring). The second ring is the view as seen through dilated pupils with an instrument that is worn on the head called a binocular indirect ophthalmoscope (BIO). The BIO will allow the doctor to see almost 100% of the retina if the patient looks in multiple directions while the doctor readjusts his or her light. The third ring is the view afforded by a good retinal camera.
For Whom is the Optomap Recommended
The short answer is almost everyone is a good candidate for the optomap® Retinal Exam. We find, however, that some of the best candidates for the optomap® Retinal Exam are those patients that can't or don't want to be dilated, children, anyone with a history of eye problems such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and people that are light sensitive, just to name a few.
Photos comparing the view of the
optomap®
Retinal Exam to other methods. Click on the photo for a
larger image (opens in new window).
Click to enlarge images.
optomap®
Retinal Exam image explaining what your doctor sees (opens in new window).
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