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Diagnosing eye conditions requires precise tests like OCT scans and slit-lamp exams. Learn about eye operation diagnosis, how to prepare, and what the results mean.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
Diagnosing eye conditions requires precise tests like OCT scans and slit-lamp exams. Learn about eye operation diagnosis, how to prepare, and what your results mean.
Before any eye operation can take place, an accurate diagnosis is the most critical step. Unlike many other parts of the body, where doctors rely on how you feel or what you tell them, eye care relies heavily on direct observation and measurement. Because the eye is transparent, ophthalmologists can look directly inside it to see nerves, blood vessels, and tissues in real time. However, to plan a surgery safely, simply looking is not enough.
The diagnostic process usually begins with routine screening tests. These are standard procedures performed during a comprehensive eye exam to flag potential problems that might require surgery.
Routine tests include:
If screening tests show a problem, or if you are preparing for surgery, more advanced technology is needed. These tests provide the detailed “maps” surgeons use to operate.
OCT is like an ultrasound, but it uses light waves instead of sound. It takes cross-sectional pictures of your retina. This allows the doctor to see each distinctive layer of the retina. It is the gold standard for diagnosing macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease. It is painless and takes only seconds.
This test is used to look at blood circulation in the retina. A special dye is injected into a vein in your arm. As the dye travels to your eye, a camera takes rapid-flash photos. This highlights leaking vessels or blockages, which is crucial for planning surgeries for diabetic retinopathy.
For most pre-surgical diagnoses, your pupils must be dilated. This allows the doctor to see the back of the eye (the retina and optic nerve) clearly.
The step-by-step process:
Proper preparation ensures that your test results are accurate and that you remain comfortable throughout the process.
After the tests, the ophthalmologist will review the images and numbers with you. Understanding these terms helps you make informed decisions about surgery.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
Not every eye exam requires an OCT scan or angiography. These are reserved for specific situations.
The main tests for cataracts are the Visual Acuity test (to check vision loss) and the Slit-Lamp examination (to see the clouding of the lens). Before surgery, a test called Biometry is performed to measure the eye and choose the correct artificial lens implant.
An OCT scan requires very little preparation. You do not need to fast or change clothes. However, the doctor may need to dilate your pupils with eye drops to get a clear image.
No, the tonometry “puff of air” test is not painful. It can be startling because it is sudden, but it does not hurt. It is a quick and non-contact way to measure eye pressure.
Modern eye tests are extremely accurate. Devices like corneal topographers and OCT scanners measure the eye to within microns (thousandths of a millimeter).
You need advanced imaging if your routine exam reveals a potential problem, such as high eye pressure or retinal irregularities.
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