Retinal imaging takes a digital picture of the back of your eye. It shows the retina (where light and images hit), the optic disc (a spot on the retina that holds the optic nerve, which sends information to the brain), and blood vessels. This helps your optometrist or ophthalmologist find certain diseases and check the health of your eyes.

Doctors have long used a tool called an ophthalmoscope to look at the back of your eye. Retinal imaging allows doctors to get a much wider digital view of the retina. It doesn&#;t replace a regular eye exam or regular dilation but adds another layer of precision to it.

Who Gets This Test?

Your doctor may recommend it if you have any the following diseases or conditions:

Diabetes: This disease can damage the blood vessels in your retina. Over time, it causes you to lose your sight if it is not controlled.

Macular degeneration: The central part of your retina (the macula) starts to get worse with age. You may have blurry vision and find it harder to focus. If that happens, you may be considered legally blind even though you may still have peripheral vision. There are two kinds of macular degeneration: wet and dry.

Dry macular degeneration is by far the most common form of this disease (up to 90% of the cases). It happens when blood vessels under the retina become thin and brittle.

Abnormal blood vessels growing under the retina cause wet macular degeneration. Vision loss is usually fast.

Retinal imaging is very important in finding this type of macular degeneration.

Glaucoma: This disease damages your optic nerve (located in the retina) and may cause vision loss. It typically happens when fluid builds up in the front of your eye. It can cause blindness but it normally progresses slowly and can be treated with special eye drops to lower the pressure caused by the fluid.

Retinal Toxicity: The arthritis drug hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) can damage your retina.

Your doctor may also use retinal imaging if your vision is getting worse and they aren&#;t sure why.

Plus Our Top Picks for High-Quality Retinal Cameras

It was more than a century ago that scientists were able to capture the first usable images of the human retina. Since then, the technology has advanced considerably, allowing modern ophthalmic professionals to view the retina in stunning, high-resolution detail. Today, many practices offer retinal imaging as part of the routine eye exam, regardless of whether or not a patient has (or is believed to have) a specific eye condition.

Retinal cameras work by using low-powered lasers to capture digital images of the retina, the optic disc, and the surrounding blood vessels. They play an important role in the early detection of conditions that can impact healthy vision, such as diabetic retinopathy, retinal tear and detachment, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and glaucoma. In addition, they are a valuable tool for identifying underlying conditions that may impact overall wellness, including cancer and high blood pressure.

Benefits for your practice

Beyond early detection capabilities, adding a retinal imaging solution to your routine eye exams offers several key benefits for your ophthalmic practice. The test itself is fast and painless for your patients, results are generated quickly, and the images easily uploaded to your EMR database (the whole process takes about 15 minutes.) This allows you to compile an ocular history for each patient so that you can compare images over time to monitor eye health and determine the effectiveness of treatment.

Patients of all ages can benefit from retinal imaging, and the ability to see and treat symptoms early goes a long way toward protecting healthy vision throughout their lifetime. Not only that, but regular eye exams can help detect a surprising number of non vision-related health conditions, and the superior accuracy of retinal imaging technology lets physicians quickly notice any irregularities. While not always covered by insurance, most patients will agree that the low cost of an add-on retinal imaging test is well worth it for the benefits it provides.

Finally, integrating advanced retinal imaging technology into your exam process sets you apart from your competitors in the ophthalmic arena and lets your patients know that you are committed to using the latest tools and equipment to provide exceptional care.

Our top picks for high-quality retinal cameras

Retinal imaging technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, and modern retinal cameras now offer physicians a variety of ways to inspect their patients' eyes, including optical coherence tomography (OCT), fundus photography, and angiography. The following retinal cameras are among our top picks for superior imaging capabilities and ease of use.

Topcon TRC-NW500 Non-Mydriatic Retinal Camera

The Topcon TRC-NW500 Non-Mydriatic Retinal Camera is a robotic fundus camera that provides crisp, consistent imaging even in ambient light. Innovative slit scan illumination and rolling shutter mechanism in the NW500 make it possible to obtain superior-quality color fundus images with less flare and shadow. Automated alignment, focus, and capture improve clinical workflow efficiencies.

LEARN MORE

Topcon Maestro2 OCT Fundus Camera

The Topcon Maestro2 OCT Fundus Camera is an OCT + Fundus Camera system that automatically performs alignment, focus, and capture with a single touch. The resulting reports enable comprehensive analysis of the macula, optic disc, and anterior segment. Reports can be auto exported, quickly printed, or sent to your EMR in common file formats.

LEARN MORE

Volk Pictor Plus Portable Retinal Camera

From the exam room to on-location screenings, the lightweight (just one pound), non-mydriatic Volk Pictor Plus Portable Retinal Camera will shoot detailed high-resolution images in daylight or darkness. With two easily interchangeable modules for retinal or external eye imaging, it features Wi-Fi connectivity to seamlessly integrate with any PC or mobile device.

LEARN MORE

S4Optik Cobra Fundus Camera

The innovative optical system on the S4Optik Cobra Fundus Camera captures 15% wider retinal images than standard cameras. A clear and detailed view of the entire ocular fundus contributes valuable insights to your ocular examination. Images are acquired with minimal flash exposure, providing comfort to the patient and facilitating multiple image acquisitions through undilated pupils.

LEARN MORE

Shop retinal cameras at Veatch

A 30-year veteran of the ophthalmic industry and a member of the Advancing Eyecare family, Veatch Ophthalmic Instruments offers a wide selection of mydriatic, non-mydriatic, and OCT retinal cameras to help you advance your practice and better serve your patients. If you are looking for something in particular, contact us today so we can discuss your needs and find the right solution for your patients and your business.

Benefits for your practice

Beyond early detection capabilities, adding a retinal imaging solution to your routine eye exams offers several key benefits for your ophthalmic practice. The test itself is fast and painless for your patients, results are generated quickly, and the images easily uploaded to your EMR database (the whole process takes about 15 minutes.) This allows you to compile an ocular history for each patient so that you can compare images over time to monitor eye health and determine the effectiveness of treatment.

Patients of all ages can benefit from retinal imaging, and the ability to see and treat symptoms early goes a long way toward protecting healthy vision throughout their lifetime. Not only that, but regular eye exams can help detect a surprising number of non vision-related health conditions, and the superior accuracy of retinal imaging technology lets physicians quickly notice any irregularities. While not always covered by insurance, most patients will agree that the low cost of an add-on retinal imaging test is well worth it for the benefits it provides.

Finally, integrating advanced retinal imaging technology into your exam process sets you apart from your competitors in the ophthalmic arena and lets your patients know that you are committed to using the latest tools and equipment to provide exceptional care.

Our top picks for high-quality retinal cameras

Retinal imaging technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, and modern retinal cameras now offer physicians a variety of ways to inspect their patients' eyes, including optical coherence tomography (OCT), fundus photography, and angiography. The following retinal cameras are among our top picks for superior imaging capabilities and ease of use.

Topcon TRC-NW500 Non-Mydriatic Retinal Camera

The Topcon TRC-NW500 Non-Mydriatic Retinal Camera is a robotic fundus camera that provides crisp, consistent imaging even in ambient light. Innovative slit scan illumination and rolling shutter mechanism in the NW500 make it possible to obtain superior-quality color fundus images with less flare and shadow. Automated alignment, focus, and capture improve clinical workflow efficiencies.

LEARN MORE

Topcon Maestro2 OCT Fundus Camera

The Topcon Maestro2 OCT Fundus Camera is an OCT + Fundus Camera system that automatically performs alignment, focus, and capture with a single touch. The resulting reports enable comprehensive analysis of the macula, optic disc, and anterior segment. Reports can be auto exported, quickly printed, or sent to your EMR in common file formats.

LEARN MORE

Volk Pictor Plus Portable Retinal Camera

From the exam room to on-location screenings, the lightweight (just one pound), non-mydriatic Volk Pictor Plus Portable Retinal Camera will shoot detailed high-resolution images in daylight or darkness. With two easily interchangeable modules for retinal or external eye imaging, it features Wi-Fi connectivity to seamlessly integrate with any PC or mobile device.

LEARN MORE

S4Optik Cobra Fundus Camera

The innovative optical system on the S4Optik Cobra Fundus Camera captures 15% wider retinal images than standard cameras. A clear and detailed view of the entire ocular fundus contributes valuable insights to your ocular examination. Images are acquired with minimal flash exposure, providing comfort to the patient and facilitating multiple image acquisitions through undilated pupils.

LEARN MORE

Shop retinal cameras at Veatch

A 30-year veteran of the ophthalmic industry and a member of the Advancing Eyecare family, Veatch Ophthalmic Instruments offers a wide selection of mydriatic, non-mydriatic, and OCT retinal cameras to help you advance your practice and better serve your patients. If you are looking for something in particular, contact us today so we can discuss your needs and find the right solution for your patients and your business.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Laser Retinal Imaging. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.