I have a great passion for optometry and I regularly attend conferences both in this country and abroad to keep myself abreast of any developments. As an Optometrist it's my job to determine the best and most suitable optical correction for you. Running alongside this and more importantly I also need to ensure your eyes are healthy and that they remain so. I use many techniques to evaluate the health of your eyes, but in this age of rapid advances in digital technology the use of digital photography plays a major part.

We have 2 digital camera systems that allow me take and store fantastically detailed images of both the external and internal areas of the eye.

There are many benefits associated with digital photography :

• a permanent and accurate record can be kept of the condition of your eyes
• changes too small to be seen using traditional methods can be picked up
• improved detection of early changes by comparing year on year
• allows you to see what we see, to understand any changes taking place
• allows a more refined and accurate referral to a specialist if required.

Being able to see the whole image all at once in a stable format is an obvious advantage. The magnification is also greater and the image can be enhanced if required. It has been shown that features on the back of the eye, that cannot be seen under normal magnification, can be seen using the digital image. By filtering the image it is possible to enhance areas to make it easier to analyse.

By being able to refer back to an image taken on an earlier consultation and comparing it side by side with a new image, I am much better placed to pick up smaller changes than I would be if I just had my written to notes to go by.

Many people take their eyes for granted but by me showing them images of the backs of their eyes it helps to explain the complexity of the eye and what a wonderful organ it is.

Over the last couple of years we have a had several cases where having the retinal photograph has allowed an earlier diagnosis of an issue. This has meant that we have been able to get the patient concerned appropriate treatment much more rapidly than we might have done using conventional techniques.

When you next come for an appointment please ask me about retinal photography and how it would prove beneficial for you.