Technology

This is a cross sectional image of your retina, the light-sensing layer in the back of your eye. It is similar to an ultrasound, but does not contact the eye and uses light instead of sound waves to acquire the image.  An OCT allows your doctor to see all the layers of the retina at a microscopic level and helps to confirm a diagnosis and guide treatment. 

A fundus photo is a color image of the retina that shows what your doctor sees when she looks at the inside of your eye.  This can help grade the severity of a problem or document something that is seen on exam for future comparison.

This test allows your doctor to look for changes in the circulation (blood flow) of the eye.  It requires an injection of a dye into a vein in your arm. This dye travels through your veins and eventually flows through the blood vessels in your eyes. Photographs are then taken over the course of 10-15 minutes to look for abnormalities that could be affecting your vision.

This test is performed to evaluate or monitor what you are able to see and if you have any missing areas of your vision.  This can help determine the cause of your symptoms and monitor changes over time.

An ultrasound is used when there is a limited view of the inside of the eye.  This image is taken just like an ultrasound during pregnancy. We put gel on a probe and use this to obtain images of the back of your closed eye. 

Your retina is the light-sensing layer in back (inside) of your eye.  In order to examine your retina, your doctor will dilate your pupils (the central black part that lets light in) with medicated eye drops that make the pupils larger temporarily.   It takes 15-30 mintues for your eyes to dilate.  Your doctor will then use light from a microscope and magnifying lenses to look at the health of the inside of your eye where all of the most important structures for your vision are.  Dilation lasts anywhere from 3-6 hours and you may be light sensitive or have blurred near vision until the drops wear off.  It is a good idea to bring a pair of sunglasses with you when you get your eyes dilated to make you more comfortable after your exam.

Your doctor might recommend laser for a variety of eye conditions. It can be used in different ways to treat a retinal tear or hole, swelling in the retina, impaired blood flow, abnormal blood vessels, or fluid under the retina.

Usually you will be sitting as if you are having an eye exam. The eye is numbed with drops and a lens is put on the surface of the eye to allow a view to the back of the eye. The laser is delivered through a machine controlled by the doctor.

When you have an injection, the eye is well numbed and cleaned to prevent infection. The injection is placed into the white part of the eye (sclera) so you will not see the procedure being done. The medication sits in the back of the eye (vitreous cavity). There are many different medications that can be used effectively in this way for various eye conditions.