Retinal photography is an important tool for the early detection of retinal diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. We offer retinal photography at Classic Optical in Ithaca, serving Cornell University, Ithaca College, Dryden, Lansing, Freeville, Trumansburg, Watkins Glen, and Cayuga Heights. Here are a few things our optometrist, Reena Patro OD at Classic Optical wants you to know about retinal photography.
How Retinal Photography Works
Retinal photography uses a device called a fundus camera to take a detailed look at your retina, the sensitive cells at the back of your eye. Retinal imaging allows doctors to get a much wider digital view of the retina. It doesn’t replace a dilated exam but adds another layer of precision to it. Since the retina camera processes images automatically, it’s used in place of a handheld device called an ophthalmoscope to get a good understanding of your eye health. Retinal photography even connects to artificial intelligence to double-check the inspection of your eye.
Conditions Detected by Retinal Photography
Some of the conditions our optometrist can detect with retinal photography include:
- Age-related macular degeneration – Leakage of fluid in the macula, in the center of your retina, may indicate the early stages of a process that could rob you of your central vision.
- Diabetic retinopathy – Unchecked high blood sugar levels over several years can cause problems with blood circulation in the back of your eye. Your eye tries to compensate for poor circulation by building new, fragile blood vessels. Unfortunately, these blood vessels can break and release a cascade of blood clots that obscure your vision, and the inflammation of those blood vessels can permanently damage your sight.
- Glaucoma – Your optometrist uses a test called tonometry to measure your intraocular pressure (IOP), more commonly referred to as eye pressure, to judge the potential for glaucoma in your eyes. Retinal photography can detect damage from high IOP that has not yet caused any symptoms you would notice.
Benefits of Retinal Photography
Your eye doctor takes careful notes every time you have an eye exam, but, as the old saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. Retinal photography gives your eye doctor a baseline image of your eye that can be used for comparison to see if your condition is getting worse or to confirm that treatment is working.
Retinal Photography in Ithaca, NY
Classic Optical serves Ithaca, Cornell University, Ithaca College, Danby, Dryden, Lansing, Freeville, Trumansburg, Watkins Glen, Cayuga Heights and surrounding areas. For more information on retinal photography or to schedule an appointment, call us at (607) 273-1234.