Can the retina be examined without dilation?

Technically, you can undergo an eye exam without worrying about eye dilation in certain situations. But it’s not going to be a very thorough eye exam, and your ophthalmologist or optometrist could miss potential problems with your eyes.

Does retinal imaging replace dilation?

Doctors have long used a tool called an ophthalmoscope to look at the back of your eye. Retinal imaging allows doctors to get a much wider digital view of the retina. It doesn’t replace a regular eye exam or regular dilation,, but adds another layer of precision to it.

Is retinal imaging necessary?

For most people, a laser retina scan isn’t required. However it does provide another tool for assessing retina and eye health, which can be helpful during technically difficult examinations.

Do I need a retinal exam?

The American Optometric Association recommends that you get regular eye exams every five to 10 years when you are in your 20s and 30s; every two to four years from ages 40 to 54; every one to three years from ages 55 to 64; and every year after age 65. Retinal eye exams are not necessary with every eye exam.

How much does retinal imaging cost?

Charges of $30 to $60 for screening retinal photography are common. These fees are not generally covered by third-party payers. I know of practices in which over 80 percent of patients agree to have digital retinal imaging despite the added cost.

How accurate are retinal scans?

Retina scans are nearly impossible to fake. Furthermore, because the retina decays so quickly after death, a scan can only be accessed from a living human. Retinas scans are about 70 times more accurate than iris scans and 20,000 times more accurate than fingerprint-based methods.

Do I need OCT?

Why do I need an OCT scan? OCT scans are recommended for people aged 25 or over, who want to know more about their eye health, or those who have diabetes, glaucoma, or have family history of eye disease. Even if your vision and eye health are perfectly fine, we still recommend an OCT scan with every eye test.