Our practices now have the facility to take a digital photograph of the retina, which is the layer of cells at the very back of your eyes that detects light. Overlying this are blood vessels that nourish the retina. Changes to these tissues occur through conditions such as Glaucoma, Diabetes, High Blood pressure and Macula degeneration.
In most cases, the cameras that we use obtain perfect photos without the need for any eyedrops to be instilled. The 5 megapixel digital camera captures an 8 to 12 MB image which we store with your records. Should we need to refer you to a specialist for further assessment, copies of these images can be sent along with the letter. Copies can also be provided on CD for you to take with you in the event of you moving to a different area.
Right click here and save-as to view an uncompressed image and see the full quality we can obtain - WARNING 6.76MB TIF file A 'normal' fundus. Markers that are on the image denote the following;
- Optic Nerve Head : Where the nerve fibres exit the eye to carry information to the brain.
- Optic Cup : A depression in the optic nerve head where there are no nerve fibres. People with larger cups are at greater risk of Glaucoma.
- Macula Region : This is the part of the eye that is responsible for fine detailed vision. Changes in pigment or accumulation of Drusen here can signal reduced vision due to macula degeneration.
- Retinal Artery : Carries oxygenated blood out to the tissues of the retina. High blood pressure can cause these to take on a more tortuous (twisty) appearance, or become more shiny in nature.
- Retinal Vein : Responsible for collecting blood from the arterial circulation and taking it from the eye. In high blood pressure, the force of the arteries on the veins can cause the veins to seemingly disappear where an artery lies ontop of them.