During the first eye exam, we include the retina examination. In our opinion, it is an indispensable complement allowing us to catch in time any warning signs of diseases such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration and other conditions.

Using a sophisticated device, your optometrist performs a thorough photograph of your retina (the thin membrane lining the back of the eye). Next, we proceed with Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), which provides a very precise image of important retinal structures, such as the optic nerve and the macula.

The goal of your optometrist here is to detect any anomalies that could indicate the presence of an eye disease.

Do not worry; the process is entirely safe and painless. However, it is sometimes necessary to instill ophthalmic drops in the eyes to dilate the pupils for a more precise image. This examination, also called ‘examination with dilation’, is only performed if anomalies are detected and a more in-depth exploration of the periphery of the retina is necessary. This test is not included in the digital eye exam.

Some individuals are more likely than others to develop retinal-related disorders such as glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy. If in doubt, it is always wise to visit your optometrist. Furthermore, if you answer ‘’yes’’ to one or more of these questions, we suggest that you plan your visit with us: 

• Are you diabetic?
• Do you have a history of eye diseases such as macular degeneration in your family?
• Are you over 65?
• Have you noticed any changes in your field of vision recently? (colored spots or dots that don’t seem to go away)