Retinal exam or fundoscopic exam, is a critical part of a comprehensive eye examination. It allows eye care professionals to examine the back of the eye, including the retina, optic nerve, macula, and blood vessels, for signs of various eye diseases or conditions.
To get a better view of the retina, the eye care professional may dilate your pupils using special eye drops. This process allows more light to enter the eye, providing a broader and clearer view of the retina. Dilation might cause blurred vision and sensitivity to light for several hours after the exam.
The eye care professional will ask you to look in various directions to examine different parts of the retina. You might be asked to sit at a slit lamp or lie down for an indirect ophthalmoscopy. The examination is generally painless, though the bright lights can be uncomfortable. If dilation is required, expect blurred vision and light sensitivity for a few hours after the exam.
