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What investigations might be performed?

The complexity of retinal disorders means that sometimes extra investigations will be needed to allow diagnosis of your condition and to allow a plan of action to be made. May of these investigations involve state of the art technology, most are entirely non invasive and provide wonderful insights into the working of your eye.

Here are some of the commoner investigations:

Ophthalmoscopy

The surgeon will use a number of special optical tools which allow a magnified 3D image to be obtained of the various parts of the eye. Using high powered lenses the retina can be thoroughly examined. Skilled use of these instruments is part of the reason that retinal surgeons require extensive training before practising their craft.

Photography, Fluorescein Angiography and ICG Angiography

Using special cameras it is possible to photograph the retina to monitor disease. Using special dyes (fluorescein and indocyanine green, ICG) it is possible to look for damaged areas of the retina or choroid (the blood vessels behind the eye). This is especially important when looking for the membranes which destroy vision in macular degeneration as shown on the left.

Ultrasound

This uses sound waves to build up a picture of the eye and is especially useful when there is no view of the eye by ophthalmoscopy, e.g., in vitreous haemorrhage. The cause of the haemorrhage can be looked for:

Doppler signals can be obtained to allow identification of individual blood vessels in the eye.

Optical Coherence Tomography

This uses low dose laser light to scan the macula of the eye producing images of slices of the retina. It is particularly useful for identifying:

Disclaimer. The information provided in the Retina Surgery web site is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other health care professional. Always check with your doctor if you have concerns about your condition or treatment. The authors of this web site and St Thomas’ hospital are not responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any form of damages whatsoever resulting from the information contained in or implied by the information on the site.
(Information for Patients only provides a guide. It is important that you consult your ophthalmologist if you are experiencing problems with your eyes.)

The text and images are the copyright of Tom H Williamson.