Digital Retinal Imaging & OCT Scans in Penticton, BC
Dr. Zak of Apex Optometry uses 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 our Penticton eye doctor a permanent record of the condition and state of your retina.
This is very important in assisting our Penticton 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.
GDx Scanning Laser Polarimetry
The GDx Scanning Laser is used to detect and asess patients who are at risk of, or who have been diagnosed with glaucoma. It uses a laser to objectively measure the thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer.
The scanning laser analyze the layers of the retina and optic nerve for any signs of eye disease. It works using light without radiation, and is essential for early diagnosis of glaucoma,
With an GDx scan, the doctor is provided with color-coded, images of the retina. These detailed images are revolutionizing early detection and treatment of eye disease. Typical exam time ranges from only five to ten minutes.
Visual Field Testing
A visual field test measures how much 'side' vision you have. It is a straightforward test, painless, and does not involve eye drops. Essentially lights are flashed on, and you have to press a button whenever you see the light. Your head is kept still and you have to place your chin on a chin rest. 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. Your optometrist may ask only for a driving licence visual field test, which takes 5-10 minutes. If you have just asked for a driving test or the clinic doctor advised you have one, you will be informed of the result by the clinic doctor, in writing, in a few weeks.
Normally the test is carried out by a computerised machine, called a Humphrey. Occasionally the manual test has to be used, a Goldman. For each test you have to look at a central point then press a buzzer each time you see the light.