Answering Your Patients’ Questions about optomap®

Have you recently added optomap technology to your practice? Perhaps you have new patients who are not familiar with ultra-widefield retinal imaging, and they’re eager to learn how the technology can benefit them. Regardless of the situation, when you present optomap to your patients for the first time, they may have several questions. To help you answer those questions, as well as explain the benefits of optomap, below are some of the most common questions and answers practitioners receive about optomap that you can use as talking points.

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• Do I really need a retinal exam?
  The retina’s sensitive tissues often show early stages of diseases, such as diabetes, stroke, and some cancers before you experience other symptoms. An optomap should be considered part of a comprehensive eye exam. It also allows us to view more of your retina than we could with other technology.
• What is an optomap? Are there any side effects of this exam?
  An optomap uses scanning laser technology to create a panoramic, digital, high-resolution, and 200-degree view of the retina. The lasers are low intensity and non-invasive – in over 40 million images, no side effects have been found.
• How does optomap benefit me as a patient?
  There are many patient benefits associated with an optomap exam. For example, optomap images can be saved for comparison purposes. This image becomes a part of your permanent medical record and enables us to see more of your retina, measure aspects of your eye, and magnify some of the finer details. We can also track changes in your eye over time by comparing each year’s optomap. Additionally, because the optomap images 82% of your retina, many diseases that generally present further out on the edges of the retina can now be spotted earlier. Early detection of any retinal abnormality is crucial to maintaining your ocular and systemic health, as most eye diseases show no signs or symptoms in their early stages.
• Is an optomap exam painful, and is it safe for children?
  The optomap is completely painless and only takes a second to complete. You will not need to have your eyes dilated for the exam, so you can even drive afterward. Not only is optomap safe for children, it’s highly recommended since many vision problems begin at early ages.
• How often do I need to have an optomap done?
  Generally speaking, an optomap should be included annually as part of your comprehensive eye exam.

If you have additional questions about how you can explain optomap to your patients, or if you wish to make it a part of your thriving practice, please visit our website, or contact us to request a consultation.

5 Questions You May Have About Your Retinal Consultation

What is a retina specialist?

A retina specialist is a highly trained medical professional who specializes in the treatment of conditions and diseases affecting the retina. Your doctor may refer you to a retina specialist for a consultation if they notice early signs of retinal disease or are concerned that you may develop it in the future. Under the care of a retina specialist, it is possible for patients suffering from retinal conditions to restore lost vision and slow or prevent future damage.

What does a retinal consultation look like?

A retinal consultation begins in a very similar manner to a routine vision exam. An ophthalmic technician will take your medical history, evaluate your vision to determine how well you are seeing, and test your eye pressure levels. Once this is completed, your eyes will be dilated. Dilating your eyes allows for a clear view of the back of your eye, including your retina. It takes 20 to 30 minutes for your pupils to fully dilate.

What kinds of tests or imaging will be used to examine my eyes?

While your eyes are dilating, the doctor may order specialized testing to be performed. These tests may include:

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• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
  An OCT test is a non-invasive imaging test that uses light waves to take cross-section pictures of your retina. With these images, the retina specialist can see the layers of your retina and measure their thickness. This information helps the retina specialist determine if you are suffering from any retinal diseases. The test itself requires you to sit in front of the OCT machine and remain motionless. At no time will the equipment touch your eye; however, you may be light-sensitive for several hours after the test.
• Fluorescein Angiography
  Fluorescein angiography is a diagnostic test that utilizes a camera to record the blood flow through your retina. This is performed by injecting a fluorescein dye into your arm or hand. Once the dye is injected, a series of photographs will be taken of your eye to document how blood travels through your retina. The pictures of your retina are in black and white, and the dye appears white or gray, illuminating the blood vessels for a clearer photo. These photos allow the retina specialist to see if your blood vessels are leaking, how much blood is leaking, and where the leakage is occurring. At no time will the equipment touch your eye; however, some individuals may experience nausea during the procedure, which usually subsides quickly.
• Fundus Photography
  Using a specialized fundus camera, pictures are taken of the structures of the back of the eye. These pictures are used to document and diagnose certain eye conditions. At no time will the equipment touch your eye; however, you may be light-sensitive for several hours after the test.
• Fundus Autofluorescence Imaging
  Through the use of autofluorescence imaging, the doctor can observe your eye’s fundus, the eye’s interior surface that sits opposite the lens and includes the retina, macula, fovea, optic disc, and posterior pole. By observing the fundus, retinal specialists can detect eye diseases. This is a non-invasive test, and at no time will the equipment touch your eye.

How will the doctor determine my treatment options?

Once the testing is complete and your eyes are fully dilated, the doctor will see you. You will be asked to describe any symptoms you are experiencing.

The doctor will then examine the structures of the back of your eye. Because of this, there may be times when the doctor has to shine a bright light into your eye and manipulate your eye to get a clear view. Although this may be uncomfortable, it is an important step in the process, and your doctor will complete it as quickly as possible.

Your doctor may use a slit lamp, a specialized microscope, to aid in this process. They also use an indirect ophthalmoscope to get a broad view of the retina.

After a thorough review of your retina and the results of any testing you received, the doctor will discuss your diagnosis and possible treatment options. Depending on the diagnosis, your treatment may begin immediately, or you may be monitored for further development. Although you will receive a thorough exam, you will not leave the office with a prescription for glasses or contacts.

How can I prepare for my appointment?

To prepare for your retina consultation, you should compile a list of the names of any medications you may be taking as well as a complete medical history. Due to the complex nature of the consult, you should plan on being at the office for a minimum of two hours.

Are you interested in learning more about our Retinal Camera? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!