What Is Fundus Photography?
Fundus photography is digital photography of the back of the eye — the fundus — which includes the retina, optic nerve, macula, and the blood vessels that supply them. Using a specialized camera fitted with lenses and lighting designed to safely photograph the inside of the eye, we can capture a high-resolution image of these structures in a single, brief exposure.
Why We Use It
A fundus photo gives our providers a permanent, objective record of what the retina looks like at a given point in time. This is valuable for documenting the appearance of the optic nerve, macula, and retinal blood vessels, and for identifying and monitoring conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and glaucoma-related changes. Because the image is saved to your chart, it also gives us a baseline to compare against at future visits, so subtle changes over time can be caught early.
What to Expect
Fundus photography is quick, painless, and non-contact — the camera never touches your eye. Depending on what your provider is evaluating, your pupils may be dilated with eye drops beforehand to allow a clearer, wider view of the retina; dilation can cause temporary light sensitivity and blurred near vision for a few hours afterward. Many patients find fundus photos a helpful visual aid, since your provider can show you the image directly and point out any areas of interest as part of explaining your exam findings.