Retinal Imaging and dilated eye exam

It is highly recommended that you have your eyes dilated and a photograph taken of the inside of your eye to further assess your eye health. Please make an appointment to have this procedure done.

In order to photograph the interior of your eye, your eyes need to be dilated. This is only possible with the use of medicated eye drops. These eye drops cause the pupil of your eye to temporarily enlarge to allow your optometrist to assess the complete health of the inside of your eye as well as capture a full detailed photograph. This is a very important part of your preventative eye care

Why have it done?

• To further asses an eye condition noted in a routine exam
• To screen for eye-related changes in those with systemic health problems (some systemic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes are first discovered during the dilated eye exam)
• To screen for eye diseases in healthy individuals
• To obtain baseline imaging of your eye to determine the significance and therapy of future ocular findings

Conditions or symptoms that require your eyes to be dilated and photographed.

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Macular degeneration
• Arthritis
• Lupus
• Glaucoma
• Aids
• Multiple sclerosis
• Breast cancer
• Lung cancer
• High near sightedness
• Loss of vision
• Sudden blurred vision
• Flashes of light/floaters
• Certain medication ie.(Plaquenil, Tamoxifen)

Note: Please be aware of the signs and symptoms of retinal detachments: Flashes of light off to the side, sudden onset of many spots in your vision, a gray spot in your vision that is getting bigger or a curtain effect. TREAT AS AN EMERGENCY!!!

Side effects during dilation?

• Slight blurred vision at distance
• Blurred vision at near (especially for those younger than 40)
• Increased light sensitivity
• Lasting effects for 4-6 hours for regular drops, 24-48 hours for stronger eye drops

ON THE DAY OF YOUR APPOINTMENT BRING SUNGLASSES AND SOMEONE TO DRIVE YOU!

Examples