Optomap Exam

Learn all about The Optomap Retinal Exam

We are pleased to inform you that during your next visit to Somerville Family Eye Care, LLC, you will experience the benefits of the latest technology in eye exams, the Optomap Retinal Exam. Any routine eye exam should always include a careful look at the retina, which is located at the back of the eye, to screen for abnormalities or disease. The sensitive tissue that makes up the retina is susceptible to a variety of diseases that can ultimately lead to partial loss of vision or even complete blindness. Early detection of any retinal abnormality is thus crucial.

The Optomap is made possible by using advanced technology - the California Retinal Imaging System. The Optomap enables us to see nearly all of your retinas. Furthermore, it eliminates the discomfort and inconvenience associated with pupil dilation. As a result, you will not experience blurred vision or sensitivity to light following your eye exam. It is important to note that should any abnormalities be detected or if we cannot obtain an acceptable image, dilation may be necessary.

The Optomap exam is fast, painless, and comfortable. Nothing touches your eye at any time. It is suitable for the whole family. To have the exam, you simply look into the device one eye at a time (like looking through a keyhole) and you will see a comfortable flash of light to let you know the image of your retina has been taken. The capture takes less than a second. Images are available immediately for review. You can see your own retina. You see exactly what your eye care practitioner sees - even in a 3D animation. Experience with this technology has already led to improved disease detection and has possibly prevented vision loss and blindness in several patients.

In addition, a relatively new non-invasive technique called autofluorescence was developed over the last decade to study the fluorescent properties of lipofuscin, which is a mixture of autofluorescent pigments that accumulate in the retina as metabolic byproducts. AF imaging gives information over and above conventional imaging techniques, such as fundus photos or fluorescence angiography, as it allows visualization of the metabolic changes in the retina and helps to identify areas that may be at high risk for the development of certain eye diseases.
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Here at Somerville Family Eye Care, LLC, we are dedicated to offering our patients the best eye care possible and acquiring the tools to help us do so. To find out more about the Optomap Exam, visit http://www.optomap.com.