Digital Retinal Imaging & OCT Scans
We use cutting-edge digital imaging technology to assess your eyes. Many eye diseases, if detected at an early stage, can be treated successfully without total loss of vision. Your retinal Images will be stored electronically. This gives the eye doctor a permanent record of the condition and state of your retina.
This is very important in assisting your Optometrist to detect and measure any changes to your retina each time you get your eyes examined, as many eye conditions, such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration are diagnosed by detecting changes over time.
The advantages of digital imaging include:
- Quick, safe, non-invasive and painless
- Provides detailed images of your retina and sub-surface of your eyes
- Provides instant, direct imaging of the form and structure of eye tissue
- Image resolution is extremely high quality
- Uses eye-safe near-infra-red light
- No patient prep required
Digital Retinal Imaging
Digital Retinal Imaging allows your eye doctor to evaluate the health of the back of your eye, the retina. It is critical to confirm the health of the retina, optic nerve and other retinal structures. The digital camera snaps a high-resolution digital picture of your retina. This picture clearly shows the health of your eyes and is used as a baseline to track any changes in your eyes in future eye examinations.
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
An Optical Coherence Tomography scan (commonly referred to as an OCT scan) is the latest advancement in imaging technology. Similar to ultrasound, this diagnostic technique employs light rather than sound waves to achieve higher resolution pictures of the structural layers of the back of the eye.
A scanning laser used to analyze the layers of the retina and optic nerve for any signs of eye disease, similar to an CT scan of the eye. It works using light without radiation, and is essential for early diagnosis of glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinal disease.
With an OCT scan, doctors are provided with color-coded, cross-sectional images of the retina. These detailed images are revolutionizing early detection and treatment of eye conditions such as wet and dry age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinal detachment and diabetic retinopathy.
An OCT scan is a noninvasive, painless test. It is performed in about 10 minutes right in our office. Feel free to contact our office to inquire about an OCT at your next appointment.
Visual Field Testing
A visual field test measures the range of your peripheral or “side” vision to assess whether you have any blind spots (scotomas), peripheral vision loss or visual field abnormalities. It is a straightforward and painless test that does not involve eye drops but does involve the patient’s ability to understand and follow instructions.
An initial visual field screening can be carried out by the optometrist by asking you to keep your gaze fixed on a central object, covering one eye and having you describe what you see at the periphery of your field of view. For a more comprehensive assessment, special equipment might be used to test your visual field. In one such test, you place your chin on a chin rest and look ahead. Lights are flashed on, and you have to press a button whenever you see the light. The lights are bright or dim at different stages of the test. Some of the flashes are purely to check you are concentrating. Each eye is tested separately and the entire test takes 15-45 minutes. These machines can create a computerized map out your visual field to identify if and where you have any deficiencies.
Corneal Mapping
Corneal topography, also known as photokeratoscopy or videokeratography, is a non-invasive medical imaging technique for mapping the surface curvature of the cornea, the outer structure of the eye. Since the cornea is normally responsible for some 70% of the eye’s refractive power, its topography is of critical importance in determining the quality of vision.
The three-dimensional map is therefore a valuable aid to the examining ophthalmologist or optometrist and can assist in the diagnosis and treatment of a number of conditions; in planning refractive surgery such as LASIK and evaluation of its results; or in assessing the fit of contact lenses. A development of keratoscopy, corneal topography extends the measurement range from the four points a few millimeters apart that is offered by keratometry to a grid of thousands of points covering the entire cornea. The procedure is carried out in seconds and is completely painless.
OPTOS Retinal Exam
Annual eye exams are vital to maintaining your vision and overall health. We offer the optomap® Retinal Exam as an important part of our eye exams. The optomap® Retinal Exam produces an image that is as unique as you fingerprint and provides us with a wide view to look at the health of your retina. The retina is the part of your eye that captures the image of what you are looking at, similar to film in a camera.
What Does OptoMap Test For?
Many eye problems can develop without you knowing. You may not even notice any change in your sight. But, diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinal tears or detachments, and other health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure can be seen with a thorough exam of the retina.
An optomap® Retinal Exam provides:
- A scan to show a healthy eye or detect disease.
- A view of the retina, giving your eye doctor a more detailed view than he/she can get by other means.
- The opportunity for you to view and discuss the optomap® image of your eye with your doctor at the time of your exam.
- A permanent record for your file, which allows us to view your images each year to look for changes.
The optomap® Retinal Exam is fast, easy, and comfortable for all ages. To have the exam, you simply look into the device one eye at a time and you will see a comfortable flash of light to let you know the image of your retina has been taken. The optomap® image is shown immediately on a computer screen so we can review it with you.
CLEARPATH DS-120 Lens Fluorescence Biomicroscope
Eye care professionals have long been involved in the detection, monitoring, and treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy, a complication of diabetes that affects the eyes, and is the leading cause of adult blindness in America. Until recently, it was difficult for the eye care professional to detect this chronic disease prior to the end stage complications.
Southern Eye Specialists, is the first practice in the state of Georgia certified. to use the the CLEARPATH DS-120TM Lens Fluorescence Biomicroscope which performs a 6 second, non-invasive test designed to quickly detect Autofluorescence of the crystalline lens. Autofluorescence of the lens of the eye can be used to detect diabetes up to seven years prior to the appearance of symptoms such as diabetic retinopathy. The test consists of a quick six-second scan of the eye without dilation, offers immediate results, and eliminates the need for blood draw.
This new technology measure the lifetime accumulation of certain proteins that indicate uncontrolled glucose levels over time. Elevated glucose levels are a marker for diabetes. If uncontrolled glucose is detected earlier and brought under control, it can reduce the risk of developing diabetes or worsening an already existing diagnosis.
Our optometrist, Dr. Rohit Sharma, says that the advantages of using the ClearPath technology are clear and immediately beneficial. “The CLEARPATH technology detects elevated glucose levels 7 years prior to the development of any symptoms. There is no fasting or blood test required and the test produces immediate results.”
Dr. Sharma puts a strong focus on prevention and early detection in his practice and this technology aligns perfectly with the practice’s mission. Dr. Sharma was particularly interested in the ability to detect the disease or the potential of a future developing of the disease. “Because the early stages of Diabetes are asymptomatic, many are not diagnosed until the disease has progressed into a stage that is only treatable or controllable with medications and insulin. If detected early, type 2 diabetes can be treated with diet, exercise, and changes in lifestyle.”
2014-10-27-Diabetic Retinopathy. CLEARPATH DS-120 from Paul Salsberg on Vimeo.
Early detection of diabetes can reduce the risk of blinding retinopathy up to 76% when you control your sugar level. Because diabetes can affect everyone Dr. Sharma is particularly excited at the preventive potential of this technology. “This technology is useful for each and every patient. Currently, a blood test is not ordered until a health history uncovers certain risk factors. Because of this, diabetes often remains undetected until it is too late to be controlled by diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes alone. With this technology, each and every patient will have the option to monitor their potential for developing the disease.”
Other Advanced Technology
- Glare testing
