Lights, Camera, Eyes: The Benefits of Topography and Fundus Photography
Bolt Eye Group has the latest, top-of-the-line technology and machines to provide in-depth exams to better care for our patients, treating them and preventing conditions. Performing topography and fundus photography tests at early eye exams for all patients is one way we provide excellent medical care for our patients. These are two additional tests to the standard eye exam that allow your doctor to get a fuller more in-depth view of your eye to earlier diagnose and better treat eye conditions.
The first test is topography, where several pictures are taken of the cornea, which is the clear outermost layer of the eye covering the iris and pupil allowing light to enter the eye. This test charts the cornea’s surface area and then creates a color-coded map detailing its shape and curvature. These color-coded maps help to detect and treat eye conditions earlier by noting any changes or abnormalities to the shape and curvature of the cornea. A normal cornea is evenly rounded. Corneal abnormalities such as flatness, steepness, or uneven curvature could indicate eye conditions. These conditions include irregular astigmatisms, keratoconus, hyperopic correction, and myopic correction. Topography also helps identify injuries to the cornea such as swelling, scarring, and abrasions.
The second test is fundus photography, which takes photos of the fundus of both eyes. The fundus is the interior back surface of the eye, and it is made up of the retina, macula, optic disc, fovea, and blood vessels. In fundus photography, a special camera takes photos of the back of the eye through the pupil. Because of this, Patients are usually dilated before this test, which allows the camera to get a fuller picture. Fundus photos help with identifying eye pathologies such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and vitreous hemorrhages. Patients are usually dilated before this test is run, which allows the machine to get a larger picture of the back of your eyes. Fundus photography allows for better treatment plans for eye conditions. For patients not experiencing eye issues, yearly fundus photography allows your doctor to see how your eyes change over time, and show what to look out for with your eyes.