Retinal Photography (Fundus photos)
A retinal photograph is a high-resolution image of the back of your eye, including the retina, optic nerve and blood vessels. It takes only a few seconds. Nothing touches your eye, and no drops are needed for a standard photo.
Because the retina is the only place in the body where blood vessels and nerves can be seen directly, the photograph does more than check your vision. It lets the Optometrist look for early signs of eye disease before they affect your sight.
What retinal photography can help detect
- Diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of vision loss in Saint Lucia. Regular retinal photographs are a standard way to screen for it, and diabetic eye screening involves having the eyes dilated and retinal photographs taken of both eyes. These photographs are analysed and graded for very tiny changes to determine whether further treatment such as laser is necessary.
- Glaucoma, by showing changes in the optic nerve that may appear long before you notice vision loss.
- Age-related macular degeneration, which affects central vision and reading.
- Retinal detachments, holes or tears, which need urgent attention.
- Changes from high blood pressure, which can show in the eye’s blood vessels.
Retinal photographs provide a baseline that can be compared year to year. Subtle changes that are difficult to spot in a single visit become clearer when images from different visits are viewed side by side. Early detection can help guide timely care and protect sight.
The photograph also becomes part of your record. If you need to see the Ophthalmologist, your images are already on file and can be reviewed without repeating the test.
What to expect
You rest your chin on the camera’s support, look at a target, and a brief flash marks the moment the picture is taken. It is quick and painless, and your vision is unaffected afterwards.
Retinal photography is available at both Bèl Zyé Eye Care locations, Castries and Rodney Bay. If you have diabetes, a family history of glaucoma, or it has been more than a year since your last eye health check, or call 758-572-9800 in Castries or 758-572-0608 in Rodney Bay.
