Retinal Diagnostic Testing

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a diagnostic test that allows for the imaging and measurement of retinal thickness. OCT is very useful in detecting retinal swelling or fluid accumulation secondary to a variety of retinal conditions. It provides very valuable information and is also useful for following the response to a treatment. OCT testing has become a standard of care for the assessment and treatment of most retinal conditions. OCT uses rays of light to measure retinal thickness and can be performed in a few minutes. No radiation or x-rays are used in this test.

Ultrasound (B–Scan)

Ultrasound is a test that uses sound waves to assess ocular and retinal conditions. If your doctor cannot view the retina because of some opacity that blocks the view, they may use an ultrasound to determine the general status of the retina. Ultrasound is commonly used to assess the retina in patients with a dense cataract or vitreous hemorrhage. Ultrasound is simple to perform, painless, and does not involve any radiation.

Retinal Photography

Retinal photography utilizes a specialized camera to capture a broad digital view of the back of the eye. It provides high-resolution and high-definition images of the retina, optic nerve, small blood vessels of the eye, and other features to permit an accurate assessment of eye health as well as the diagnosis of various ocular, neurologic and systemic disorders. Retinal photography also facilitates ongoing documentation of the progression and response to treatment of conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, ocular disorders, retinal neoplasms, and choroid disturbances.

Dilated Fundus Exam

While it's still possible to see the macula and optic nerve when the pupil is not dilated, that view is quite limited. A dilated fundus exam allows the eye doctor to see the entire retina and examine the associated structures located therein. Checking the status of the retina, optic nerve, and small blood vessels in the eye is critical to preventing and treating conditions that could lead to vision loss and other consequences to one's overall health and well-being. In addition to facilitating the detection of macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma, a dilated fundus exam may reveal evidence of other conditions such as retinal tears or detachment, an ocular tumor, or even certain systemic diseases.

Visual Field Evaluation

Assessing the quality of central and peripheral vision requires a test known as a visual field evaluation. By performing a periodic visual field evaluation as part of a routine exam, the eye doctor is able to detect the development of blind spots and visual field defects as well as get an overall picture of the quality of a patient's central or peripheral vision. Visual field testing facilitates an assessment of the ocular damage caused by glaucoma, retinal disease, optic neuropathy, brain tumors and stroke along with other conditions affecting the eye, optic nerve, or vision-related structures in the brain. In the presence of eye disease or a suspected issue, more comprehensive and sensitive visual field testing is often ordered. In this way, the exact extent of damage and the associated central and peripheral vision loss can be more accurately determined. More frequent exam visits, including visual field testing to monitor the progression of the disease or the response to treatment, may also be indicated.