Retinal/fundus cameras come with several adjustments features that make it easy for the examiner or ophthalmologist to control the device at all times without losing focus on the patient. The retinal/fundus camera uses imaging to capture images of the inside surface of the eye. Most retinal/fundus cameras are equipped with angiography abilities, as well as the capacity to change the camera’s color and angle of capture.

There are several different types of retinal/fundus cameras available, and each one is important for understanding the needs of the patient as well as the overall functionality of the eye exam office. These cameras have the ability to change the angle from the recommended 30-degrees to the longer 45-degrees and even up to 140-degrees for special exams. There is the ability to magnify the retina as well in order to see the nerves and other optical structures more closely. 

Retinal/fundus cameras use a pair of lights on both sides of an electric lamp to flash onto a mirror. This mirror helps to reflect light in all directions, and it helps the examiner focus light on one particular area. This powerful course of light penetrates the eye in a method that is painless to the patient, and then it goes through to the cornea to illuminate the inside of the eye. This makes it easy for the eye examiner to take pictures of the eye’s interior surface in order to check for abnormalities. The aperture alignment of the device uses the flashing light to take pictures in rapid motion, which cause no irritation to the patient.

The reticle area of the retinal/fundus camera is used to focus the image, to prevent any images from coming out blurry. That way, the examiner is able to closely read and assess the areas of the eye that need attention.

Retinal/fundus cameras are most accurate when the patient has already received a prescription for corrective eyewear. Determining the strength of the patient’s eyesight beforehand can help the ophthalmologist determine where to start. There are several ways to keep the camera in focus when taking images, which are useful for diagnosing any ailments or abnormalities. There are also special color filters or dyes available to illuminate certain areas of the eye for better readability by the examiner.

• Digisight
• Volk
• Topcon
• Zeiss
• Canon
• NIDEK
• Kowa
• CSO
• CenterVue
• Ezer