Eye doctors recommend having a comprehensive eye checkup every year. A thorough eye test allows your eye doctor to have a detailed look into your retina to examine the well-being of the back of your eyes.

The retina is the part of your eye that takes in light and sends visual information to the brain for processing. If damaged through illness or trauma injury, the retinal blood vessels get affected. The veins carry nerve signals from the optic nerve to the brain. When the veins are injured, the brain does not obtain visual data, leading to vision loss.

With a dilation or optomap exam, your eye doctor can examine the back of your eyes. The exams enable the doctor to look inside your retina without having to perform surgery.
 

What Is an Optomap Exam?

An optomap is an automated device that captures a high-resolution image of your retina in just one shot. It is just like taking a photo. Images from an optomap give 200 degrees view of the retina.

That means your eye doctor can see up to 80 percent of your retina in just one picture. That is revolutionary compared to traditional imaging tools that only cover 15 percent of your retina in one shot.

Pros

The benefits of an optomap exam include:

·      Optomap gives an extensive view of your retina, allowing your doctor to examine it in detail.

·      Optomap takes a couple of minutes, start-to-finish, compared to 30 to 40 minutes with dilation.

·      A digital scan is available right away for review and diagnosis by your doctor. It also means you can see what the back of your eye looks like and understand your condition better.

·      Stores a record of your retina for future review.

Cons

Optomap is a fascinating diagnostic tool, but it prevents a thorough examination of your eye. It does not provide a complete scan of the retina.
 

What Is a Dilation Exam?

A dilation eye exam uses special eye drops to enlarge your pupils. Enlarged pupils allow more light to enter the eye, ensuring that your eye doctor has a clear view of your retina.

It takes 20 to 30 minutes for the eye drops to widen your pupils. Once enlarged, your eye doctor can check the health of your retina, blood vessels, and optic nerve.

Pros

The benefits of a dilation exam include:

·      Dilation is necessary for a detailed eye examination, especially for patients who are at risk for common eye conditions, have preexisting retinal illnesses, or are older.

·      Dilation allows your eye doctor to do a complete evaluation of your retina.

·      It allows your eye doctor to detect serious eye health issues, such as retinal conditions and macular degeneration.

Cons

After a dilation exam, you may experience light sensitivity and blurry vision for four to six hours. Also, only your eye doctor can view your retina and does not store the retina’s record for future review.
 

Which One Is Right for You?

Optomap and dilation eye exams only differ in terms of technology. Optomap’s machinery makes the process smoother and faster for patients taking a comprehensive eye exam.

But understand that both exams are crucial in vision and eye health care, and they balance each other.

For more on optomap and dilation, visit Alpha Eye Group at our offices in Philadelphia, Wyomissing, Bethlehem Twp, Doylestown, or Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. Call (215) 698-7760, (610) 376-7272, (610) 866-1000, (215) 878-7181, (215) 230-4060, or (610) 941-9780 to book an appointment today.