Fundus Retinal Photography
Fundus Retinal Photography Brighton, Trenton and Belleville Optometrist
A doctor of optometry is trained to operate fundus retinal digital cameras equipped with high-powered lenses for taking detailed pictures of the back of your eye. Typical fundus retinal images include the retina, macula, retinal blood vessels and optic nerve. Fundus retinal photography provided by your optometrist in Belleville, Trenton and Brighton can detect retinal diseases, retinal detachment/tears, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration/macular holes before they begin affecting vision.
How are Fundus Retinal Images Taken?
After the pupil is dilated, your eye doctor will move the fundus camera close to your eye to capture images of internal structures. The camera does not touch your eye and the procedure is completed within several minutes. Images are immediately available for examination by your doctor of optometry. Following dilation of your eye, you may experience blurry vision and sensitivity to light. Wear sunglasses while driving home to reduce eye sensitivity to sunlight.
Why is Fundus Retinal Photography Needed?
Fundus photography can detect retinal abnormalities, monitor progression of eye diseases and help your optometrist develop an effective treatment plan for all types of eye disorders. If you have a progressive eye disease such as glaucoma, macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy, your Belleville eye doctor will want to take repeat images using fundus photography equipment to determine if your treatment needs to be modified.
Fundus Photography and Fluorescein Angiography
If your optometrist suspects you have swelling, leaking or abnormal blood vessels in your eye, a diagnostic procedure involving injection of dye into the retina’s blood vessel may be used in conjunction with fundus retinal photography. Fluorescein angiography is usually indicated for people with wet macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy.
Cancer Detection Using Fundus Retinal Photography
Although cancer of the eye (melanoma) is not a common eye disease, you may be at risk for eye melanoma if you are over 50, have been diagnosed with eye pigmentation (oculodermal melanocytosis) or nevi (mole-like spots within the eye). In addition, intraocular melanoma may be genetic. Having family members with eye melanoma increases your risk as well. Fundus retinal imaging provided by your Brighton optometrist detects signs of early-stage ocular melanoma so treatment can begin as soon as possible.
Schedule an Appointment with Coward & Associates Today
To learn more about the benefits of fundus retinal photography or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Coward & Associates, please call our Belleville office at (613-968-6560, our Trenton office at (613) 392-6211 or our Brighton office at (613) 475-3900.
