You may have had a retinal photograph taken as part of your eye examination. One purpose of this photograph is to give the optician a clear view of the small dark area at the centre of the retina that we call the macula. The macula is the most sensitive part of the retina. Some patients, as they get older, develop a condition called age-related macular degeneration where they lose some central vision. The optometrist will look closely at the optic nerve. A paleness in the middle can sometimes indicate early glaucoma. He will also inspect the retinal veins and arteries. This is where we see changes in patients with high blood pressure and patients with diabetes. The eye is, in fact, the only place in the body where the veins and arteries can be directly observed without making an incision. Your retinal photograph will be saved in your record so that when you return in one or two years' time and another retinal photograph is taken a comparison can be made and any changes spotted immediately.
Specsaver's qualified optometrists are on hand to answer any of your questions of eye health. Find out more.
