Retinal or fundus photography is used to document the health of your eye and sometimes helps us to diagnose certain eye conditions. It’s also really helpful for us to refer to after future eye tests, as a comparison.
The high-powered lenses of the retina camera focus on the structures of the back of the eye, allowing our optometrist to take pictures of the optic nerve, macular, retina, and blood vessels.
Before we take the photo, we sometimes have to dilate your pupils, which we do use drops. This prevents your pupils from automatically constricting from the bright light of the camera flash.
You’ll be asked to place your chin on a rest and, as the photographer takes the photos, you’ll see a series of flashes. The whole test only takes between five and ten minutes.
These photographs then give us a detailed picture of the health of your eyes, and we’ll use them for comparison and documentation. Sometimes they are forwarded to an ophthalmologist to diagnose and treat eye diseases.
If you are having eye drops for retinal photography, we advise you to arrange for a friend or relative to drive you home as the eye drops take a few hours to wear off.
What to do next?
Please speak to our staff if you require any further information.