In our continued efforts to bring the most advanced technology available to our patients, we are proud to announce the inclusion of the Optomap Retinal Exam as an integral part of your eye exam.
Many eye problems can develop without warning and progress with no symptoms. Early on, you might not notice any change in your vision. However, diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinal tears or detachments, as well as other health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure, can be detected with a thorough exam of the retina. The retina is the part of your eye that catches the image of what you are looking at, similar to the film in a camera.
An Optomap Retinal Exam provides:
- A scan to confirm a healthy eye or detect the presence of disease.
- An overview or map of the retina, giving your eye doctor a more detailed view than he can achieve by other means.
- The opportunity for you to view and discuss the Optomap images of your eye with your doctor at the time of your exam.
- A permanent record for your medical file, enabling your optometrist to make important comparisons if potential problems show themselves at a future examination.
Longtime patient Thomas George believes he is alive today because he listened to Dr. Bowman's recommendation to have Optomap images included in his eye health exam last year.
Tom had no vision complaints when he came in for his 2016 eye exam. During the exam, Dr. Bowman recommended the Optomap because the images captured by that instrument allow a wider view of the back of the eye than what can be seen otherwise. When Dr. Bowman reviewed Tom's images, he noted some small hemorrhages in each eye that indicated oxygen deprivation. Dr. Bowman referred Tom to the hospital for a carotid ultrasound to rule out blocked arteries in the neck.
When Tom followed up with the recommended lab tests, it was discovered that he had significant carotid blockage. Tom then underwent a procedure to remove the obstruction. He remembers being told by physicians, "It's a wonder you didn't have a stroke!"
Even though Tom is seen routinely by a cardiologist, there had been no warning flags at his heart check-ups. Tom's condition went undetected until he had his annual eye health exam with the Optomap. He feels the Optomap pictures are worth any additional cost because he strongly believes that they may well have saved his life.
This is yet another reason to make your annual eye health exams a priority! Even if you don't notice any vision changes, there may be underlying health issues that can be caught during your exam and therefore treated sooner.
