What Digital Retinal Imaging Entails?

Digital retinal imaging is commonly referred to as DRI. It is the process of taking digital pictures of the eye, specifically the backside. The purpose of the digital images is to show the retina of the eye where images and light hit. Other than that, the images also capture the blood vessels, as well as the optic disk, which is a part of the retina of the eye that houses the optic nerve. The topic nerve is responsible for sending information to the brain, which allows for vision.

The entire purpose of taking these images is to help determine any eye disorder you might have. It is a measure to maintain the health of your eyes by providing an optometrist in North York with the necessary information about the state of your retina and optic nerves.

Yorkdale eyecare’s eye doctors use the digital retinal imagining pictures as a layer of precision to the regular eye exams performed on patients. The commonly used tool in these eye pictures is an ophthalmoscope.

What Happens During the Procedure?

The initial step involves dilating your eyes to widen the pupils. This is done using special eye drops. After a couple of minutes, your eyes will be ready for the test. Your job is to open your eyes as wide as possible and stare directly at an object you are instructed to.

As you stare into the object, lasers will run through your eyes and take scans, which are then uploaded onto a computer for review.

Why Is A DRI Necessary?

It is not every patient that walks into an eye care center that has a DRI taken. A regular eye exam is enough to let an optometrist determine whether you have an eye condition or not. However, in some cases, the doctor has to take an extra step to ensure they conclusively determine the health of your eyes. Such risk factors include:

• Glaucoma – is one of the most dreaded eye conditions that can cause permanent vision loss. Glaucoma works by damaging the optic nerves of the eye. For this reason, a DRI is necessary to check out the extent of the optic nerve damage, and how much can be done to prevent vision loss where possible.
• Diabetes – it damages the blood vessels of the eye, which can also result in blindness. When your doctor confirms that you have diabetes, a DRI is the best way to ensure that no much damage has been incurred on the blood vessels of your eyes.
• Macular degeneration – as you age, the health of your eyes deteriorates. Technically, the macula is the central part of the retina of the eye. It gets worse with age, which is what leads to macular degeneration. When it happens, vision gets blurry, and focus on objects becomes more difficult. A DRI will help establish the degeneration of this part of the retina.
• Retinal toxicity – some medication prescribed for arthritis can toxify the retina of the eye.
• Vision impairment – if your vision is always deteriorating, a DRI will be necessary to establish the cause of it, before total vision loss happens.

What Are the Benefits of the DRI?

Digital scans of any part of your body are necessary for medical practice as a way to establish the actual health of your body. As shown above, many diseases and conditions can affect your eyes, with most of them resulting in permanent vision loss. DRIs are taken before any invasive optical treatment is offered. This way, you do not have to undergo an intense optical operation over a misdiagnosed condition. Any problems with your retina and the surrounding area will best be addressed if the retinal images are taken.

Besides that, the procedure is painless. You have nothing to worry about when the images are being taken. Given that it is an initial step before you find out what is ailing your eyes is worth all the investment. Also, the costs of DRI do not have to worry you, since they are covered by your medical insurance. However, be sure to confirm this with your insurance company, because the terms may depend on why you need the retinal scans.