Maggie is a patient who experienced a sudden browning out of her peripheral vision just over a year ago. Exams revealed that retinal bleeding was the cause of this browning and that it had developed for unknown reasons. Since retinal disease is the leading cause of blindness, bleeding of the retina can pose a serious problem for patients. Maggie was treated with laser therapy to stop the bleeding before permanent damage was done to her eyesight.

This optomap® image exhibits signs of retinal bleeding, similar to what Maggie experienced. Her practitioner used optomap® ultra-widefield retinal imaging to monitor her eyes after she was treated for retinal bleeding in her right eye.

Due to the sensitive nature of the retina and the unknown cause for the sudden bleeding, Maggie’s retinal specialist, Dr. Amjad Hammad has been carefully monitoring the treated area, as well as watching for signs of further problems using optomap® technology.

Unlike conventional technology that provides a limited view of the retina, optomap® uses a scanning laser to create a high-resolution image which catches roughly 82 percent of the retinal area — more than four times the area visible in the past. This advanced technology allows for more accurate diagnoses and greater potential to mitigate damage to the retina from disease or damage.

In one of Maggie’s follow-up visits, Dr. Hammad was able to identify another area with potential problems because of the optomap® technology, Dr. Hammad performed a fluorescein angiography exam, allowing him to see how and where the blood was flowing. He was able to point this out to Maggie, so she could better understand her condition.

“This is enormous because I couldn’t tell, I really couldn’t tell what he was showing. I get the idea more, now,” Maggie said of her ability to actually see what her doctor sees during an exam.

If you would like to offer your patients advanced technology that will help diagnose, target problems and aid in planning proper retinal treatment, please contact Optos today to learn more about our ultra-widefield retinal imaging technology and devices.