Clear, comfortable eye exams have always been part of Armstrong and Small in the Village’s story, and Optomap technology has been a cornerstone of that care for over 20 years.
As one of the first practices in Manitoba to introduce this advanced retinal imaging system back in 2004, our team continues to rely on it to provide every patient with a digital, high-resolution view of their eye health.
What is Optomap?
Optomap is an advanced form of digital retinal imaging that captures an ultra-wide image of the inside of your eye, covering up to 80% of your retina in a single shot. Traditional exams capture only a small portion of this area, making it harder to detect early signs of disease.
This technology creates a comprehensive view of the retina, including the optic nerve, macula, and peripheral areas where problems often first appear. Each image becomes part of your personal digital eye health library, allowing our eye doctors to compare results year after year and track even the smallest changes.
It’s quick, comfortable, and completely non-invasive. You simply look into the Optomap camera, and within a second, it produces a high-resolution digital image of the retina.
What Conditions Can Optomap Help Detect?
Regular Optomap retinal exams support early detection and management of common eye diseases, including:
- Diabetic retinopathy: Damage to the retina’s blood vessels caused by diabetes.
- Macular degeneration: Gradual deterioration of the retina’s central area, which can blur or distort vision.
- Glaucoma: A group of conditions that increase eye pressure and can damage the optic nerve.
- Retinal detachment: When the retina pulls away from the back of the eye, it creates a medical emergency.
- Choroidal nevi: A lesion that may develop into malignant melanoma. Optomap detects these more than twice as often as standard imaging.
- Blood flow–blocking cholesterol plaques: These plaques may signal underlying vascular disease.
- Cataracts: While cataracts can cloud the view of the retina, Optomap can successfully capture images through 84% of cataracts, helping us maintain accurate retinal monitoring as vision changes with age.
By identifying these problems early, we can take steps to protect your sight and prevent permanent vision loss.
The Benefits of Optomap Retinal Imaging
At Armstrong and Small in the Village, we believe technology should make eye exams more personal, not less. Optomap imaging does exactly that, providing a shared view of your retina, so you can truly understand what’s happening inside your eyes:
1. Comfort and Convenience
There’s no need for dilation drops or recovery time. The Optomap retinal exam is quick, comfortable, and suitable for patients of all ages. The image capture takes less than a second and provides an immediate picture of your retina.
2. Early Detection and Prevention
Many serious eye diseases begin with subtle changes that may go unnoticed. Optomap allows for early detection of these issues, helping us identify potential problems such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, or diabetic retinopathy while they are still manageable.
3. Precision Tracking Over Time
Each Optomap image becomes part of your digital eye health record, so that we can compare images across years and spot trends. For example, we can see if a small freckle or blood vessel has changed since your last visit.
4. Comprehensive View of the Retina
Unlike standard retinal photos, which capture only 10–15% of the retina, Optomap captures up to 80% in a single detailed image.
This ultra-wide view helps our eye doctor examine areas that are difficult to assess with traditional methods, providing a complete and accurate understanding of your overall eye health.
What Makes Optomap Different
While standard imaging offers a limited field of view, Optomap provides 66% more pathology visibility and improves disease detection rates by up to 30%.
For patients managing or at risk for diabetes, Optomap is especially valuable. Studies show it can detect 33% more diabetic lesions and identify early signs of retinopathy long before symptoms appear. In aging eyes, where diseases often develop at the periphery, the Optomap’s ultra-widefield capability can reveal 56–97% more retinal changes than traditional imaging.
Protecting Your Vision with Optomap Technology in , MB
Your eyesight connects you to your work, your loved ones, and the beauty of everyday life. Protect it with technology that looks deeper, faster, and more accurately than ever before.
Book your Optomap retinal exam at Armstrong and Small in the Village in today to experience the comfort and clarity of modern, comprehensive eye care.
Optomap FAQs
Is the Optomap worth it?
Yes. Adding an Optomap retinal exam to your comprehensive eye exam can increase disease detection by up to 30% and identify subtle changes that standard imaging may miss. It’s comfortable, fast, and offers long-term benefits for your eye health.
How long does an Optomap eye exam take?
The imaging itself takes less than a second. Our eye doctor will then review your Optomap image with you, pointing out details of your optic nerve, macula, and peripheral retina to help you understand your results.