Annual eye exams are vital to maintaining your vision and overall health.
Our Danada Vision Wheaton Location offers the Optomap® as an important part of our eye exams. The O*pto*map produces an image that is unique and provides Dr. Burch with a high-resolution 200° image in order to ascertain the health of your retina. This is much wider than a traditional 45° image.
Many eye problems can develop without you knowing, in fact, you may not even notice any change in your sight – fortunately, diseases or damage such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinal tears or detachments, and other health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure can be seen with a thorough exam of the retina.
The inclusion of Optomap as part of a comprehensive eye exam provides:
- A scan to show a healthy eye or detect disease.
- A view of the retina, giving your doctor a more comprehensive view than they can get by other means.
- The opportunity for you to view and discuss the Optomap image of your eye with your doctor at the time of your exam.
- A permanent record for your file, which allows Dr. Burch to view your images each year to look for changes.
The Optomap is fast, easy, and comfortable for anyone. The entire image process consists of you looking into the device one eye at a time. The Optomap images are shown immediately on a computer screen so we can review it with you.
FAQs
Q: How long has optomap been available?
A: optomap was given clearance to market by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1999.
Q: How many offices have this technology?
A: There are over 8500 installed devices worldwide.
Q: Is optomap as comprehensive as the old way I had my eye examined?
A: optomap gives your doctor a comprehensive view that was previously unavailable, and adds to your doctor’s ability to diagnose the health of your eye.
Q: How soon will the doctor see the results?
A: The doctor will review the results with you today.
Q: What does optomap tell the doctor?
A: optomap allows the doctor to assess your ocular and overall systemic health.
Q: Why is it important for the doctor to look at the retina?
A: The sensitive tissue that makes up the retina is susceptible to a variety of diseases and it is essential to catch any problems early in their progression to avoid vision loss.
Q: Do I need to have an optomap exam?
A: Your doctor highly recommends that you do.
Q: Is this the best exam?
A: Your doctor intends to give you the best exam possible. That is why we now have the optomap exam available for you.
Q: If I don’t have an optomap exam, will I still get a good exam?
A: Of course your doctor will still give a good exam. However, you should know that you will be depriving your doctor of a tool that has proven to help doctors detect problems earlier and you will not have the opportunity
to learn about your own ocular health.
Q: What age groups are candidates?
A: Optomap is recommended for patients of all ages.
Q: Can my child be tested?
A: Yes.
Q: Can I wear my contact lenses during the optomap exam?
A: Yes.
Q: Will it tell me if I have cataracts?
A: No, the optomap is looking at the back of your eye and cataracts are a problem that occur in the front of your eye. The optomap will tell you if you have conditions such as Diabetic Retinopathy, Hypertensive Retinopathy,
Retinal Holes, Tears and Detachments, Macular Degeneration, Malignant Melanomas and many other retinal disorders.
Q: How long will an optomap take?
A: An optomap image can be captured in 1⁄4 of a second per eye.
Q: I don’t have any complaints; I see well, why should I get this?
A: Most eye disorders do not cause pain or other symptoms. Also, when detected early enough, many retinal problems can be treated to avoid vision loss. However, once a retinal problem has caused a loss in vision, it is
almost never reversible. Early detection is vital to preserving good eye health.
Q: I have a family history of diabetes, should I have this done? Why?
A: It is particularly important for people who are at risk for diabetes to have an optomap since they are particularly prone to problems with the retina that could lead to vision loss.
Q: Does this mean I will not be dilated? My doctor has told me I always need to be dilated!
A: The reason your doctor told you that is because prior to the optomap there was no technology available that gave the doctor a comprehensive view of your retina – now that the optomap is available, it is possible that
dilation may not be required. Dilation is a tool that your doctor may also use to evaluate your retina.
Q: Can I drive afterward?
A: Generally, yes. The optomap exam will NOT blur your vision or make you sensitive to light. However, if as above, you are dilated in combination with optomap, we recommend that you not drive for 1 – 2 hours.
Q: Does this hurt?
A: No, the optomap should be very comfortable for you.
Q: Can taking an optomap cause any damage?
A: No, the optomap exam is a safe procedure.
Q: How often is it recommended to have an optomap done?
A: optomap should be part of every comprehensive eye exam, and you should have your eyes completely examined once per year. Note: May vary for diabetic or other patients who have known pathology and are being managed by the doctors.
Q: How do you clean the eyepiece?
A: With alcohol wipes.
Q: Is it sanitary?
A: Yes.
Q: Will this change my prescription? Will I need glasses after this?
A: optomap will not change the current prescription, it will help your doctor to better diagnose the health of your retina.
Q: Can I have a copy of my test?
A: NOTE: depends on practice procedures. – Yes, we can either e-mail you or print a copy of youroptomap. We will keep it here as part of your permanent medical record.
Q: I am pregnant; can I have the test done?
A: Yes.
Q: Why do you have to take so many “pictures” of my eyes?
A: Unless there are any problems found or your doctor needs more information, optomap will be the only picture of your retina taken at this visit.
Q: Is it covered by Insurance? Why do I have to pay extra for this exam? Why isn’t this covered by Insurance?
A: No, unfortunately, vision coverage plans do not offer coverage for advanced diagnostic screening.
Q: Is my co-pay included in this fee?
A: No.