For the test, you'll sit in front of the refractor, rest your chin on the ledge and lean forward until your forehead presses against the bar. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, you'll be asked to take them off. Keeping your head still and looking into the instrument through one eye, you'll see an electronic eye chart. The letters will change from clear to blurry as the instrument takes measurements of your eye. Then you'll repeat the test with your other eye. It's a completely painless procedure.
Depending on your particular complaint or goal, Dr. Mang will use the information gathered from the refraction exam to:
ON TO THE SECOND TEST: The Optomap retinal exam.
Optomap® Retinal Imaging
 |
Dr. Mang is the only doctor in northern New Jersey who features the advanced Optomap® retinal imaging. Click image to enlarge. |
Refraction tests the cornea and lens in the front of your eye. But another essential part of vision is the retina in the back of the eye. That's why the second half of every patient's basic evaluation is the retinal exam.
The retina is a thin layer of nerve tissue where light rays are focused and sent to the brain. This sensitive tissue is susceptible to disease or injury, which can lead to vision loss and blindness. Screening for retinal health can help us catch eye problems early and keep your vision as healthy and clear as possible.
High-Quality Images -- Without Dilation
With older technology, in order to look at the retina, the patient's pupils have to be dilated with eye drops. If you've ever had your pupils dilated, you know this can be an uncomfortable and time-consuming process, leaving you with blurry vision or light sensitivity for hours afterward.
At NVLC we eliminate this cumbersome step by using the advanced Optomap® retinal exam equipment. A quick and comprehensive method to test for retinal diseases, the Optomap can capture images of almost the entire retina at once (much more than is possible with previous technologies) -- without the need for dilation. This makes it especially suitable for children, who often don't like eye drops.
The Exam
The test itself consists of two parts. First, a technician helps position you in front of the small window in the front of the Optomap machine. She will count down from three and push a button, and the machine will take a photograph of your retina. You'll hear a "click" and see a flash of light but won't feel a thing. In less than a second, the Optomap snaps a picture of your retina and displays it on the computer screen. This process will be repeated until several high-quality images have been captured.
High-quality image of a patient's retina on the Optomap computer screen. Click image to enlarge. |
|
Dr. Mang then analyzes the group of photographs for signs of eye disease, or for progression of a disease if you have already been diagnosed with one. The retinal exam can help Dr. Mang diagnose problems such as diabetic retinopathy, high blood pressure (hypertension), age-related macular degeneration and retinal detachment. The Optomap allows us to detect problems early -- even before you notice any symptoms -- and help prevent vision loss.
Another advantage of the Optomap equipment is that it allows us to store your photographs electronically -- so Dr. Mang can compare your test results the next time you come in for an appointment. Every patient should have these pictures taken yearly to rule out blood clots, bleeding behind the eye, diabetes and other potentially serious conditions.
Click here for more information
NEXT: After the evaluation
)
)
)
