A thorough examination of the retina is a crucial part of a comprehensive eye exam. 

The retina, located at the back of your eye, plays a vital role in your vision. It is a thin layer of tissue that contains cells responsible for capturing light and sending visual signals to the brain. During a retinal examination, your eye doctor can directly visualize the blood vessels in the retina, providing valuable insights into your overall health. 

By examining the retina, your eye doctor can detect not only eye conditions but also signs of systemic health issues. The health of the retinal blood vessels can reveal important information about your cardiovascular health. Conditions such as heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, and even stroke can manifest as changes in the retinal blood vessels. Identifying these changes early on can prompt further evaluation and appropriate intervention by your primary care physician. 

What is an Optomap® retinal exam? 

The Optomap® retinal exam is a revolutionary diagnostic tool that allows our eye doctor to capture high-resolution digital images of the retina. It’s the only technology that can capture up to 82% of the retina in a single shot, enabling us to get a comprehensive view of your eye health. 

The Optomap® retinal exam is a fast, easy, and painless way to scan and image the retina for people of all ages. Unlike traditional retinal exams that may require dilation drops or uncomfortable contact with your eye, nothing touches your eye at any time during an Optomap® retinal exam. During the exam, you will look into the device one eye at a time and will see a flash of light when the image of your retina has been taken. The image capture takes less than a second. 

What are the benefits of an Optomap® retinal exam? 

The Optomap® retinal exam offers a more comprehensive view of the retina than other imaging methods. This allows Dr. Christine Kniffen at Casey Optical Co. to detect even the most subtle changes in your eye health over time. Many eye diseases, such as macular degeneration and glaucoma, may not show any symptoms in their early stages. However, these issues can be detected through a thorough retinal exam. 

Traditional retinal imaging methods typically only capture about 15% of the retina. In comparison, the Optomap® captures over 80% of the retina in one panoramic image. This means that Dr. Kniffen can get a more detailed view of your retina and identify any potential problems earlier than with traditional methods.
 

How often should you get an Optomap® retinal exam? 

We recommend getting an Optomap® retinal exam every time you have an eye exam. This ensures you have a digital record of your retinal health on file so we can compare changes in your eyes over time. 

Contact our office in Albuquerque today to schedule your appointment and ask our doctor about Optomap® retinal exams.