Retinal imaging is a digital image taken of the retina, blood vessels, and optic nerve located at the back of your eyes. These images can assist in the early detection and management of certain eye diseases, including glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetes, and hypertension.

How is Retinal Imaging Done?

Retinal imaging is a simple, non-invasive procedure. You will look into a device one eye at a time, and you will see a comfortable flash of light to let you know an image of your retina has been taken. The retinal image appears immediately on a computer screen so the eye care professional can review it with you. With the retinal image on file, your eye care professional can cross-check your images each year to look for any changes.

Detecting Disease with Retinal Imaging

Retinal images can help eye care professionals spot early signs of a number of diseases:

Cancer

Melanomas can grow undetected within the retina. If discovered early, these masses can be treated before they cause serious damage.

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

As the body ages, degenerative changes in the retina can result in blurry central vision.

Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

Compromised blood vessels can appear in the retina and may be an early sign of increased blood pressure throughout your body.

Retinal Detachment (RD)

When the retina detaches, it is lifted or pulled from the wall of the eye. If not properly treated, this can cause permanent vision loss.

Glaucoma

Excess fluids within the eye can increase intraocular pressure and push against the optic nerve. This can cause permanent vision loss.

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR)

A leading cause of preventable blindness, DR occurs when diabetes damages the tiny blood vessels inside the retina.