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Retina

What is the retina and why is it important?

How the retina worksLight has to travel through the eye before it reaches the retina. The retina is a clear, light-sensitive covering that lines the inside of the eye. One might think of it as the “film inside a camera” that takes the images you see and sends them along the optic nerve to the brain, where the “pictures” you see are interpreted as vision. Prompt detection of disease in the retina is important to begin treatment, stop its progress and/or avoid permanent damage to your vision.

Diagnosing retina conditions

A healthy retina is essential to maintaining clear vision and overall eye functioning. A diagnostic retinal exam may be recommended if any potential retinal abnormalities are detected during a general eye exam. Patients at a higher risk for developing retinal conditions may also be recommended for examination.

Diagnosing Retina Conditions Toronto

During a retinal exam and consultation, your doctor will perform a series of diagnostic procedures in order to evaluate the retina for any signs of disease or abnormality. These tests may include a visual field test, fluorescein angiography, fundus photography and more.

At Prism Eye Institute, our most precise, detailed retinal results are produced by the Cirrus OCT system. Cirrus Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is an advanced testing system that allows your doctor to clearly see the inside of the eye to detect and treat a variety of conditions before they progress. This is a noninvasive imaging technology that allows for the evaluation and overall management of retinal disease.

A detailed image of the eye is created with this system in order to visualize the thickness of the retina, macula and optic nerve and accurately detect any potential retinal problems in their earliest stages.

According to a study by Healio, studies have identified the efficacy of OCTA in the evaluation of diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and retinal vascular occlusions, with many other studies ongoing.

Learn more about OCT technology

California icg

With CaliforniaOptos has incorporated new hardware and software technology enabling practitioners to see more, discover more and effectively treat more ocular pathology thus promoting patient health.

Optos is known to provide many benefits across all devices. This includes 200 degrees (or up to 82% of the retina) captured in a single image in multiple modalities, as well as ophthalmologists being able to see 50% more of the retina when compared to other conventional imaging devices.

California icg offers the following benefits:

  • Motorized head and chin rest to assist patients who may require additional assistance during imaging
  • Multiple imaging modalities including:
    • 3-in-1 color depth imaging (color, red-free and choroidal in a single image)
    • Autofluorescence
    • Interweaved angiography which enables parallel capture of fa and icg images without manually switching between imaging modalities

Learn more about OPTOS California.
Read OPTOS patient stories.

Age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease that causes your central vision to blur due to damage of the macula, which is the part of your eye that helps you see the intricate detail of what you’re focusing on. Patients may experience anything from a blurry, gray or distorted area to a blind spot in the center of vision.

It is crucial to maintaining overall eye health to help prevent age-related macular degeneration, with risk factors including smoking, excessive UV exposure, unhealthy diet and exercise habits, or genetics. Regular eye exams also play an imperative role for early detection and treatment of AMD.

Laser treatment

Our office is now equipped with a Diode Retinal Laser, allowing our doctors to perform the most advanced and effective laser procedures as needed.

Laser procedures provide quick, painless treatment for many different retinal conditions, including macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. These procedures can now be performed directly in the office during your regular appointment, eliminating the hassle of other treatments.

For more information on retina conditions and treatment, please contact us at Prism Eye Institute today.