What is Fundus Autofluorescence?
Fundus autofluorescence is an imaging technology which uses special wavelengths of light to photograph the inside of the eye. It produces images which reveal the health of different tissues in the retina. As a result, it can detect which areas of the retina are unhealthy and likely to deteriorate without treatment. Fundus Autofluorescence is important because such information is not always available during a routine examination of the retina.

How is the test done?
Fundus Autofluorescence begins with dilating your eyes with drops. You will then be seated in the diagnostic procedure room, where your head will be gently positioned for the FAF? camera. During the test, the technician will instruct you to keep your eyes open and look in certain directions. Although you may see flashing lights the entire procedure, which takes only a few minutes is both painless and safe. We recommend you are accompanied by someone who can safely drive you home after you undergo fundus autofluorescence.

Why is it important?
Fundus autofluorescence is a key tool in providing detailed images of disease progression in the retina. By taking it with other diagnostic tests, it helps provide full diagnostic information on your retinal condition.

Is it covered by OHIP?
No. Fundus autofluorescence is a non-OHIP covered test.

What is Fluoroscien Angiography?
Fluorescein Angiogram is a method by which the blood vessels of the retina could be seen more clearly. By injecting a dye into the patient’s blood stream and photographing their retina with a special camera, the blood vessels in the retina can become more visible. Pictures of retinal blood vessels from fluorescein angiography are valuable tools by which your ophthalmologist can diagnose and treat your condition.

How is the test done??
Fluorescein angiography begins by taking dilating drops and then waiting for half an hour for your pupils to fully dilate. Then, a doctor or nurse will inject the dye into your bloodstream. Within seconds this dye will flow into the blood vessels within your eye, and a technician will take a series of pictures for 15-20 minutes using the specialized camera. The pictures are then immediately processed and examined by your ophthalmologist to assist with the diagnosis and treatment of your eye condition.

Why is it important?
Fluorescein Angiography can help detect certain eye diseases which cannot be seen through a regular retinal examination. It helps your ophthalmologist to determine which laser or surgical treatment is the most safe and effective to treat your ocular condition. After treatment, fluorescein angiography is useful in monitoring changes in your ocular health overtime. It also provides a clear retinal health record that your ophthalmologist can refer to in the future.

Are there any potential side effects?
Although fluorescein angiography has its side effects, it rarely triggers dangerous symptoms. Minor side effects immediately after injection include redness or bruising at the site of injection and the feeling of nausea 30-60 seconds after the injection. After being injected, the patient may have an added tan to their skin as well as orange tinged urine which can last for several days, drink Plenty of Fluids. Patients may also find that their vision is blurry once fluorescein angiography is over because they have been staring into a bright light for 15-20 minutes. Rarely however, patients may get hives, asthma attacks, and edema of the larynx or excess fluid in their throat as a reaction to the dye used in the fluorescein angiography. There is also the slight possibility of patients experiencing myocardial infarction, respiratory and cardiac arrest.

Is it covered by OHIP?
Yes. Fluorescein angiography is an OHIP covered test.

What is Optical Coherence Technology?
Optometry coherence tomography (OCT) is a non invasive method of obtaining cross sections of the retina. OCT images are often used by retinal specialists to examine and diagnose a patient’s ocular disease.

How is the test done?
Before being tested, dilating drops will be added to your eyes in order to fully dilate the pupil. Then, you will be seated in front of the OCT machine. Once the diagnostic testing has begun, you will be asked to look in different directions and exposed to several lights. The entire procedure will only take a few minutes and the images will be immediately processed for your Ophthalmologist to review.

Why is it important?
OCT provides the most detailed pictures of the cross sectional images of the retina. It is a vital test which helps to diagnose and further treat the patient’s ocular condition.

Is it covered by OHIP?
Yes. OCT testing is an OHIP covered test.

What is Potential Acuity Meter?
The potential acuity meter is a device which measures a patient’s potential improvement in vision after undergoing cataract surgery.

How is the test done?
Potential Acuity Meter begins with a technician seating you in a dark isolated room, which will allow for the best possible imaging. Using a specialized instrument a technician will ask you a series of questions as they place the instrument in front of the eye. This will be repeated for several minutes and is both painless and safe.

Why is it important?
The Potential Acuity Meter (PAM) is important as it can pre-determine whether or not a patient’s vision will experience significant improvement after undergoing cataract surgery. Therefore, it will allow your physician to determine if cataract surgery is the best option for you.

Is it covered by OHIP?
No. The Potential Acuity Meter (PAM) is non-OHIP covered test.

What is Heidelberg Retinal Tomography?
The Heidelberg Retinal Tomography (HRT) involves the use of a laser light scans of the eye such as the retina and construct a three dimensional image of the eye’s interior structures. It is a powerful tool in tracking the progression of a patient’s ocular condition because different images can be aligned to detect changes in ocular condition.

How is the test done?
Undergoing HRT testing simply involves sitting down and positioning yourself in the diagnostic procedure room. You will be asked to look in different directions to better assist the technician. The diagnostic testing, which is both painless and non-invasive will only take a few minutes to complete.

Why is it important?
Glaucoma is a progressive disease of the optic nerve which may cause vision loss. The HRT test will assist your ophthalmologist in the proper treatment and the monitoring of this condition. Therefore, examinations may be repeated as images can be compared with previous testing, which may determine whether or not there is any significant difference over a period of time.

Is it covered by OHIP?
No. The Heidelberg Retinal Tomography (HRT) is a non-OHIP covered test.

What is a Visual Field Test ?
A Visual Field Test is the term given to series of manual tests to determine the quality of an individual’s central and peripheral vision.

How is the test done?
A Visual Field test begins with a technician seating you in a dark isolated room, which will allow for the best possible testing. While concentrating on a central a focal point a series of lights will appear. As you interact, the machine will register your response time. This test may take several minutes to complete but is a non-invasive and painless test.

Why is it important?
Visual Field Testing is a useful method of judging whether or not a patient has glaucoma, retinal diseases, and ptosis or drooping lids based on their visual field and ocular condition. It also allows patients with glaucoma to determine potential responses to treatment.

Is it covered by OHIP?
Yes. Visual Field Test is an OHIP-covered test.

What is Pachymetry?
Pachymetry is an efficient and accurate way to measure corneal thickness.

How is the test done?
Pachymetry involves concentrating on a central focus point while a probe touches the corneal surface of the eye. A topical anesthesia is given to the patient to ensure that they have minimum discomfort during pachymetry testing.

Why is it important?
Pachymetry is a useful method of diagnosing patients with glaucoma and monitoring the progress of their glaucoma. It is also used to detect corneal edema, which is a side effect of cataract surgery.

What are the Potential Side Effects?
A corneal abrasion or scratching of the patient’s cornea can occur during pachymetry, especially to those with dry eye. Patients who experience corneal abrasion will need to wear an eye patch overnight to speed up the healing of their scratched cornea.

Is it covered by OHIP?
Yes. Pachymetry is an OHIP-covered treatment.

What is B-Scan?
A B-scan refers to an ultrasound test which uses images created by sound waves to determine a patient’s ocular condition. They are typically used when your ophthalmologist cannot see the interior of your eye due to its opacity due to a dense cataract, vitreous hemorrhage or other causes..

How is the test done?
Just like an ultrasound for the body, a B-scan will require you to be seated while gel will be applied to your eyelids. Then, an ultrasound probe will be placed directly on your eye lid to investigate your ocular condition using ultra-sound generated images.

Why is it important?
B-scans help to identify ocular diseases and cancers which are otherwise hard to detect.

Is it covered by OHIP?
Yes. The B-Scan is an OHIP covered test.

What is Laser Biometry?
Laser Biometry, also known as the IOL Master, is a measurement device which measures different portions of the eye and their proportions. These measurements include the anterior chamber depth, posterior chamber depth, corneal topography, white to white ratios, ultimately revealing the overall shape of the eye. These measurements serve to calculate most accurately the refractive power of the intraocular lens implant (IOL) of cataract surgery patients.

How is the test done?
Undergoing laser biometry testing simply involves sitting down in front of the machine while placing your chin in the chin rest. You will be asked to look at several lights in front for you. The diagnostic testing, which is both painless and non-invasive will only take a few minutes to complete

Why is it important?
The measurements provided by laser biometry allow your surgeon to calculate the power of the intraocular lens implant with more accuracy. Thus, undergoing laser biometry helps maximize the benefits of cataract surgery on the patient’s vision.

Is it covered by OHIP?
No. Laser biometry is a non-OHIP covered testing.

What is Topography?
Topography is a diagnostic test used to map irregularities in the shape of your eye.

How is the test done?
Undergoing topography testing involves sitting down in front of the machine while placing your chin in the chin rest. You will then be asked to look straight ahead at a central focal point. The diagnostic testing, which is both painless and non-invasive will only take a few minutes to complete.

Why is it important?
Topography measurements provide your surgeon with necessary information in order to plan the exact location of a key surgical incision, as well as the most beneficial IOL lens power for the patient. It also helps minimize the development of astigmatism due to cataract surgery.

Is it covered by OHIP?
No. Topography is a non-OHIP covered test.

What is A-Scan?
A-Scan is an ultrasound of the eye. The most common use of the A-scan is to obtain measurements needed for calculation of intraocular lens power.

How is the test done?
For A-scan testing, patient will be seated in a chair in the diagnostic procedure room. Topical freezing drops will be administered to the patient in order to alleviate any discomfort during the test. Patient will be asked to focus on a single point while a technician uses a probe to touch the surface of the eye to perform the ultrasound. Patient will be asked not to move their eye during the test. Should the patient move during the procedure, possible corneal abrasion may occur. (Please consult HRT/Pachimetry consent form for more information).

Why is it important?
The A- Scan provides data on the length of the eye which aids in calculations for intraocular lenses. This test is necessary for all patients undergoing cataract surgery. Without it, surgery can not be performed.

Is it covered by OHIP?
Yes. The A-Scan is an OHIP covered test.

What is Autorefractor?
The autorefractor is a computer-controlled machine used during an eye examination to provide an objective measurement of a person's refractive error. This can also be used to determine prescription for glasses or contact lenses.

How is the test done?
For autorefractor testing, you will be seated in a chair in the diagnostic procedure room. Your head will then be positioned so that your chin is resting in front of the machine. During the test, a technician will have you at a focal point displayed in the machine, and focus on the images. The test is completely painless and safe; the entire procedure only takes a few minutes.

Why is it important?

The autorefractor gives your surgeon an idea of your natural refractive error prior to surgical intervention. Autorefraction aids the surgeon in selecting the appropriate calculation formulas used to determine the IOL lens power that will be implanted during surgery.

Is it covered by OHIP?
Yes. The autorefractor is an OHIP-covered test.