Seeing the Unseen: Why We Use Optos Retinal Imaging

Optos uses ultra-widefield technology to capture a detailed image of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. The process takes less than a second and requires only a quick flash of light while you look into the device.

What makes the Optos camera different is its reach: it captures up to 200 degrees of the retina in a single image, compared with roughly 15 percent of the retina using traditional viewing methods. That wider view helps our team identify changes that might otherwise go unnoticed. Alongside OCT scans, which show the retina in cross-section, it gives us a broad surface map to work from.

Traditional examination methods let us see only a small portion of the retina at one time. Ultra-widefield imaging reaches areas that can be difficult to evaluate during a standard retinal exam.

That matters because many eye conditions develop without noticeable symptoms. An Optos image lets us look for signs of retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma-related changes, and macular degeneration before they begin affecting vision. The image also lets us evaluate the optic nerve, blood vessels, and retinal tissue, where changes associated with diabetes, high blood pressure, or circulatory issues can sometimes become visible.

Diabetes can affect the small blood vessels throughout the retina long before vision changes occur. Optos imaging lets us document and monitor those changes with high-resolution images that can be compared year after year, making it easier to track progression and recommend treatment when needed.

An Optos exam is quick and non-invasive, and it often reduces the need for dilation. Because the image is captured in less than a second, many patients avoid the temporary light sensitivity and blurry near vision that come with dilation drops. For busy professionals and parents in Old Forge and Clarks Summit, that makes routine eye care easier to fit into the day.

Every Optos image becomes part of your permanent digital record. If a concern arises later, we can compare current images with previous scans to look for subtle changes. That long-term record helps us monitor conditions such as macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, and spot the earliest signs of retinal detachment.

The retina is the only place in the body where blood vessels can be viewed directly without surgery, which makes it an important window into overall health. During a retinal exam we may observe changes that could be associated with diabetes, hypertension, circulatory issues, or other concerns. Retinal imaging alone cannot diagnose those conditions, but it can provide valuable information that guides further medical evaluation when necessary.

Your annual eye exam is about more than updating a prescription — it is an opportunity to catch early signs of eye disease and protect your vision for years to come. Book an Optos-enhanced eye exam at Domiano Eye Care in Old Forge or Clarks Summit.