What is Laser Retinal Imaging and Why Do We Use Them?

What Is Laser Retinal Imaging (OCT)?

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Optical Coherence Tomography or OCT is a modern imaging technique that eye health care professionals use to capture images of your retina. It works like a typical ultrasound device. Only that instead of sound, this technology uses light waves that reflect from the eye tissues. The pictures they get are of high resolution, making it one of the best imaging devices to date. The technology is so advanced that it can take cross-sectional images of the distinctive layers in the eye. These provide eye doctors with three-dimensional images to help with their diagnosis.
 

What to Expect During OCT

During an OCT exam, your eye doctor may use special eye drops to dilate your pupils. This will help widen your pupil, making it easier for them to inspect your retina. Then, they will ask you to sit in front of the OCT machine. You will use a headrest to keep motionless. Then, your doctor will calibrate this medical imaging instrument. They will ask you to look at a fixed point inside the OCT machine. Your doctor will ask you to stare at this light target to keep your eyes still. They will also ask you to avoid blinking for short periods as the machine takes images. The equipment will scan your eye for about five minutes or so without touching it. They will then receive the images.

An OCT exam is generally performed to evaluate various eye conditions, including:
 

Cancer

The presence of a dark spot behind your eye may indicate malignant growth in your retina.

Glaucoma

This disease, which causes optic nerve damage, may result in irreversible blindness. It currently has no cure. But with early detection and intervention, patients can stop or slow down its progression.

Macular Edema

This occurs when your retinal blood vessels leak, causing them to swell.
 

Vitreous Traction

As you age, your vitreous cortex may gradually detach from your retina. This can cause blurred vision.

Diabetic Retinopathy

This is a complication from diabetes, causing damage to the blood vessels of the retina.
 

Central Serous Retinopathy

This occurs when there&#;s fluid buildup behind the retina, causing partial retinal detachment.
 

Pre-Retinal Macular Fibrosis

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This is a condition characterized by a thin membrane of scar-like tissue covering the macular surface.
 

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

This is a common condition that can blur your central vision. It&#;s common in older people.

Not every patient requires dilation. But if your doctor used the special eye drops, your eyes might become sensitive to light for a few hours following the test procedure.
 

Benefits of OCT

Laser retinal imaging lets your eye doctor detect signs of eye disease that couldn&#;t be seen before. An OCT test is non-invasive and painless. The results are also easy for your doctor to interpret. The images they obtain from an OCT exam can be stored on a computer and compared with other test scans.

Your medical insurance, not your vision insurance, may cover your OCT exam. This will depend on the reasons why you need that test and the terms of your insurance policy.

Find out more about laser retinal imaging & OCT testing, contact Lifetime Vision and Eye Care in Miami Gardens, FL at (305) 902- to book your appointment.

Retinal imaging takes a digital picture of the back of your eye. It shows the retina (where light and images hit), the optic disc (a spot on the retina that holds the optic nerve, which sends information to the brain), and blood vessels. This helps your optometrist or ophthalmologist find certain diseases and check the health of your eyes.

Doctors have long used a tool called an ophthalmoscope to look at the back of your eye. Retinal imaging allows doctors to get a much wider digital view of the retina. It doesn&#;t replace a regular eye exam or regular dilation but adds another layer of precision to it.

Who Gets This Test?

Your doctor may recommend it if you have any the following diseases or conditions:

Diabetes: This disease can damage the blood vessels in your retina. Over time, it causes you to lose your sight if it is not controlled.

Macular degeneration: The central part of your retina (the macula) starts to get worse with age. You may have blurry vision and find it harder to focus. If that happens, you may be considered legally blind even though you may still have peripheral vision. There are two kinds of macular degeneration: wet and dry.

Dry macular degeneration is by far the most common form of this disease (up to 90% of the cases). It happens when blood vessels under the retina become thin and brittle.

Abnormal blood vessels growing under the retina cause wet macular degeneration. Vision loss is usually fast.

Retinal imaging is very important in finding this type of macular degeneration.

Glaucoma: This disease damages your optic nerve (located in the retina) and may cause vision loss. It typically happens when fluid builds up in the front of your eye. It can cause blindness but it normally progresses slowly and can be treated with special eye drops to lower the pressure caused by the fluid.

Retinal Toxicity: The arthritis drug hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) can damage your retina.

Your doctor may also use retinal imaging if your vision is getting worse and they aren&#;t sure why.