Retina Screening

Retina screening is the meticulous examination of the retina for any signs of weakness or other significant findings. To perform this exam it is better to dilate the pupil.

Your pupils will be dilated with eyedrops instilled at 10-20 minute intervals for about 3 doses in general. There may be a slight stinging discomfort with each drop. 

It may take as long as 20-60 minutes to achieve the needed effect and much longer if you are diabetic. In most patients, reading becomes difficult and that room light becomes glaring. 

The effects of dilation may last as long as 4-6 hours after which, your vision goes back to how it was pre-dilation. It will be difficult to read and drive. Pupil dilation is needed to perform a more thorough exam of the retina.

There are some conditions in the retina which, if seen at the appropriate time, can be treated to prevent a more severe problem. One of these is called a retinal break/tear/hole. This form of lesion can lead to a condition called Retinal Detachment where the retina becomes "peeled off" by fluid entering through the hole to go behind the retina- just like how the white meat of the coconut is scraped off its shell. If detected at an appropriate time, laser treatment of the retina (sealing of the hole to prevent entry of fluid) can be performed to prevent a detachment. Otherwise, major surgery is usually needed to fix a Retinal Detachment. 

Myopia (nearsightedness) leads to a higher risk for developing these areas of weakness or retinal breaks/tears/holes. However, normal eyes can also have this problem at a much lower incidence. In most cases, patients will experience flashes of light and floaters before a Retinal Detachment develops.

Schedule a Consultation