Digital imaging is a fairly recent technological advance in the field of ophthalmology. In many ways, the effectiveness and quality of the patient’s eye care has improved. These images have enabled ophthalmologists to view high-definition digital images of their patient’s retina using a single image capture. The process is not only faster, but also better reveals the patient’s pathology by discovering problems that may not have been found so easily with conventional scanners. Accurate and early detection and treatment is the key to successful eye care.
Digital imaging has been particularly useful in preoperative and postoperative care of patients with cataracts and refractive surgery. With digital imaging, ophthalmologists like Kang Zhang MD can see a wider area of the patient’s retina using a single image capture. Digital imaging also facilitates the monitoring and evaluation of eye disease progression and monitoring the effects of therapeutic treatments. Certain systematic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and some types of cancer can also be detected using digital images.
Another benefit of imaging in ophthalmology is that it allows clinicians to manipulate the image for better viewing and examination. They can enlarge the image and enlarge areas that appear to be potentially problematic. They can also add or subtract color and adjust the brightness of the image for easier contrast. This technique is particularly effective in diagnosing and managing retinal diseases that occur as a result of diabetes, such as diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein inclusions.
In regular ophthalmology, digital imaging techniques allow faster and more accurate screenings for patients who look healthy and want regular examination. Digital imaging of the retina allows doctors to see what they would do when performing a fully expanded scan. Unlike scanning, which involves waiting 30 minutes to expand a patient, five minutes to examine the patient, and four hours for the patient to recover, taking a digital image requires two minutes and another two minutes is required to review the patient. More direct ophthalmoscope visualizations would also be needed to cover the area you can use with a single digital image.