One of the primary ways to preserve your eye health and vision is through retinal screening. It entails catching and diagnosing any diseases or abnormalities in your retina. The retina is at the back of the eye. It is a light-sensitive tissue layer. It converts light to a signal that your brain can interpret as visual information.

Early detection of issues in your retina can prevent them from progressing or worsening. With it, you reduce your risk of blindness or vision loss. Two of the most common screening methods are OCT scans and optomap®.

What Is an OCT Scan?

An optical coherence tomography or OCT scan is a diagnostic test that produces detailed images of the optic nerve and retina using light waves. It is a noninvasive test that includes an eye doctor bouncing light into your eye and then measuring how long it takes to get back. The information creates cross-sectional, detailed images of the optic nerve and retina, allowing your eye doctor to see any issues or abnormalities. We offer OCT scans at both our Monterey and Fresno locations.

What to Expect in an OCT Scan

An OCT scan is painless and quick. It requires no preparation. You will sit while your eye doctor runs the machine, concluding the test after a few minutes. Your eye doctor will review the images created, confirming if your retina or optic nerve has any issues.

Benefits of an OCT Scan

An OCT scan allows your eye doctor to view issues in the retina and optic nerve that a regular eye exam cannot reveal. The test is painless, quick, and noninvasive. As such, people of all ages can use it.

An OCT scan helps detect problems early to allow prompt early intervention and treatment. The goal is to reduce the risk of blindness or vision loss.

What Is optomap®?

Optomap is a type of retinal screening that produces high-resolution, detailed images of the retina. Its advanced technology allows your eye doctor to get a broader view of the retina by creating a panoramic view. With it, the eye doctor can also view and examine the blood vessels of the retina.

What to Expect From Optomap

Preparation is not required for this type of retinal screening. It is painless and quick. Your eye doctor will ask you to sit at the machine. After doing so, you will look into it. The device will complete the retinal screening within a few seconds.

Your eye doctor will review the images of your retina and the blood vessels in it to determine if there are problems.

Benefits of Optomap

Optomap produces a high-resolution image that gives a broader view of the retina, allowing your eye doctor to get a more comprehensive view. Retinal screening is painless, quick, and noninvasive. This makes it excellent for individuals of all ages. Optomap also detects issues on the retina and its blood vessels early on. With prompt treatment, you reduce the risk of blindness or vision loss.

Retinal screenings play a vital role in maintaining eye health and reducing the risk of vision loss or blindness. Eye diseases like diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma have no symptoms during their early stages. This makes regular retinal screenings your only hope for protecting your vision.

For more about retinal screenings, contact Patel Vision Group at one of our offices in Visalia, Fair Oaks, Fresno, Redding, Roseville, Sacramento, Monterey, or Salinas, California to ask any questions or to book an appointment