SPECIAL TESTING

You may need special testing which could include Fundus Photography, Fluorescein and/or Indocyanine Green Angiography, Optical Coherence Tomography, and/or Ultrasonography. These tests will be performed when indicated and take additional time in the office.

Below we guide you through some of the special tests we perform.

Optical Coherence Tomography

This test takes cross-sectional pictures of your retina. This is the most common type of test we do at our office. It is important for us to perform this test because it tells us the thickness of your retina which can indicate how much fluid you have inside or under your macula. This test is non invasive.

Fundus Photos

In the case where pictures of your retina are needed, we may recommend that photos be taken. The fundus is essentially the entire inside of your eye. Unlike the fluorescein angiography, there is no invasive process needed for this test. The fundus photos can help your doctor diagnosis some eye diseases.

Fluorescein Angiography

If we suspect that some of your blood vessels in your eye are leaking we may recommend a Fluorescein Angiography. This is a special type of test to confirm where the leaky vessels are in your eye. A dye is injected into a blood vessel in your arm. As the dye passes through your vessels, a technician takes pictures of your eye. You may develop side effects during or after this test so it is advised that you have someone drive you to and from your appointment.

Indocyanine Green Angiography (ICG)

Blood vessels flow through the eye to help carry nutrients to our photoreceptors which convert light into vision. With age or some diseases, these vessels may be damaged. Indocyanine Green Angiography (ICG) is a diagnostic procedure in which a rapid sequence of photographs are taken to document the blood circulation of the retina/choroid. The dye is injected into a vein in the arm, forearm, or hand. You cannot have this test if you are allergic to iodine, are uremic (illness from kidney failure), have liver disease, are pregnant, or are breast feeding. Please let us know this information prior to testing.

Ultrasound

In some cases, you may have a lesion, lump, or hemorrhage in your eye. This is when we would perform an ultrasound. This unique test takes images of your retina using sound waves that bounce back an image for us to see. We start off the test by dilating your eye and then placing antiseptic drops. With your eyes open, a small smooth probe is placed on your eye. This can be compared to ultrasound that women do when they are pregnant, however in this case, we look at your eye.

Amsler chart

An amsler chart is box with multiple lines going vertically and horizontally with a dot in the middle. As you cover one eye and stare at the dot in the middle, did you notice anything odd around it? Blurred, warped, missing, or distorted lines can indicate a problem with your eyes. This particular test is not only done here at our office, but also in the comfort of your home. Amsler chart testing is only recommended to patients who have certain eye conditions or diseases. If amsler testing is recommended, it is best to test your eyes on a daily basis and notify your doctor should you notice any changes.

Retina Associates of Hawaiʻi