Diagnostics and Testing

Retinal Diagnostics and Testing in Chattanooga, Knoxville, and the Tri-Cities Region

The retina is susceptible to many conditions, illnesses, and injuries, several of which can pose a significant threat to your vision, general health, and quality of life if not treated or addressed. As such, it’s crucial to identify specific concerns at the earliest opportunity.

At Southeastern Retina Associates, our retina specialists provide a variety of state-of-the-art testing methods to diagnose, monitor, and treat the full spectrum of retinal and macular conditions. Our retina clinics are fully equipped with the latest cutting-edge tools and technology, enabling our team to quickly detect and evaluate the presence, severity, and location of vitreoretinal disorders.

Our Retinal Diagnostic Testing Services

Your first retinal exam should take about two hours or more, depending on if extensive testing is required. Your retina specialist will conduct thorough retinal diagnostic testing, including a full dilated eye exam and any necessary retinal imaging.

Fluorescein and Indocyanine Green (ICG) Angiography

With these imaging techniques, special colored dyes are injected intravenously into your arm. The dye then travels to your eye’s blood vessels, while cameras take images to spotlight the presence of abnormalities. The primary difference between fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography is the type of dye used and application – ICG provides an enhanced view of the retina’s deeper blood vessels.

Fundus Photography

This photographic technique provides an in-depth overview of the eye’s posterior area, including the retina and macula. Fundus photography is frequently used to detect, diagnose, and treat various retinal diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Ultrasonography / Ocular Ultrasound

Utilizing soundwaves, this noninvasive technique produces images of the eye’s various structures, including the retina, vitreous, sclera (the outer white part), and choroid (a layer of blood vessels and connective tissue supplying the retina’s outer layers with oxygen and blood). Ultrasound improves doctors’ view of the back of the eye, enabling the detection of health concerns like cancer, retinal detachments, foreign bodies, or blood in the eye.

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

A safe non-invasive imaging technique, OCT involves a scattering of infrared light waves that quickly scan the eye to produce high-resolution, cross-sectional images of retinal structures. OCT is a common diagnostic test for various vitreoretinal conditions, including AMD, macular edema, and macular holes and puckers. OCT also measures retinal nerve fiber layers’ thickness, making it effective in diagnosing diseases of the optic nerve, like glaucoma.

Visual Field Testing

Ophthalmologists employ this test to evaluate your peripheral vision. A major factor in normal eye care, visual field testing helps to identify your level of vision in either eye and gradual vision loss.

Macular Function Testing

With this diagnostic tool, ophthalmologists can evaluate the retina’s potential for visual acuity and distance vision, making it particularly effective for such retinal conditions as AMD and diabetic retinopathy.