For many eyecare patients, having pupils dilated (opened up) using eye drops can be a bother. But as an integral part of a truly comprehensive eye exam, those drops are highly recommended. Dilation gives your eye doctor the widest view of the internal structures at the back of the eye—the optic nerve, retina, even blood vessels.
That’s where Optomap technology comes in. Using low-power laser technology, your eyecare professional can take a wide, instantly-viewable and detailed digital scan of your retina (the area responsible for processing images). All in real time. And in no time. Without the use of pupil-dilating eye drops.
Tallahassee Eye Center offers our patients the optomap ® Retinal Screening as part of your annual comprehensive eye examination.
WHAT IS IT?
The optomap ® Retinal Screening:
- Allows the doctor to see approximately 80% of your retina (back of the eye) in one image (similar to a panoramic photograph) to confirm the health of your eye or to detect the presence of eye diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, holes, tears, retinal detachments, ocular melanomas or many other conditions.
- The earlier these conditions are detected, the higher the chance of successful treatment.
- Will be saved in your medical file enabling your doctor to make important comparison during your annual eye exam from year to year.
- May reduce the frequency at which you’ll need to be dilated. When we have the optomap ® yearly, we can often dilate every 2-3 years rather than yearly.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Our fee for the optomap ® has been reduced to only $25, and is typically not covered by insurance plans.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
The optomap ® takes approximately 2-3 minutes for both eyes and results are available immediately. Your eyes will not need to be dilated to perform the test.
HOW OFTEN DO I NEED IT?
The doctors at Tallahassee Eye Center strongly recommend that all patients have this test performed every year.