The fundus is a very thorough ophthalmological test in which the internal structure of the eyeball is thoroughly explored in order to detect certain eye conditions.
It can also be used for the patient to undergo a specific diagnostic test for a disease outside the eyeball, as during a fundus examination the ophthalmologist may find signs indicative of disorders affecting general health.
What is a fundus
Specifically, this is an ophthalmological examination procedure in which the following ocular structures are thoroughly examined:
- The retina, the light-sensitive tissue that converts captured images into electrical impulses that are sent to the brain for processing and interpretation.
- The macula, the central part of the retina, which allows all the details and movements of the images captured to be perceived clearly in vision.
- The vitreous, a transparent, jelly-like substance that occupies a large part of the inside of the eyeball.
- The optic nerve, the electrical communication pathway between the eyeball and the brain.
- The blood vessels inside the eye, in which signs of ocular and non-ocular diseases can be discovered.
- The peripheral retina, where most of the lesions predisposing to retinal detachment are found.
When to have a funduscopic examination
What is the purpose of a fundus examination, and what ocular and non-ocular disorders can be detected or confirmed by means of this ophthalmological examination? The most common are as follows:
- Retinal detachment.
- Macular degeneration.
- The existence of spots and oedema in the macula or ocular papilla.
- Glaucoma.
- Hypertensive retinopathy.
- A vitreous detachment.
- The existence of signs of some systemic diseases, such as hypertension or diabetes.
How this test is performed
Beforehand, an assessment of the patient's visual acuity and a general examination of the eyeball is carried out. In the event of clinical suspicion of any of the eye diseases or disorders listed above, this is how a fundus examination is performed:
- The ophthalmologist causes permanent dilation of the pupil by applying substances such as tropicamide and phenylephrine. Nowadays, with the capacity of wide-field retinographs, it is not necessary to dilate the pupil, unless we need to explore the peripheral retina. At Dr. Nebro's clinic we have a wide-field retinograph.
- Using instruments such as the indirect ophthalmoscope, the direct ophthalmoscope and the slit lamp, the eye doctor observes and analyses the ocular structures listed above.
In terms of results, the duration of the test and its after effects:
- The level of detail and accuracy of the images obtained by the ophthalmologist are maximised.
- The duration of the fundus examination varies greatly: from a few minutes to a maximum of half an hour, depending on whether or not the ophthalmologist finds signs of internal ocular alterations.
- After a fundus test, the patient will experience light sensitivity and blurred vision for 3-4 hours.
In the latter respect, it is recommended not to drive vehicles for a period of 4 hours. It is also advisable to wear approved sunglasses during this period, especially on days with high daylight.
Why it is important to have an eye examination
It is a test that is essential to confirm the definitive diagnosis of the eye diseases listed above, when there is already a clinical suspicion.
In addition, signs of diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and other diseases of the cardiovascular system can be detected during a fundus examination.
In such cases, the ophthalmologist will refer the patient to the specialist doctor, who will confirm or not the existence of such health disorders by means of the corresponding specific diagnostic tests.
In patients who have already been diagnosed, the fundus examination is a test that allows the ophthalmologist to check how the eye disorder is progressing and the effectiveness of the prescribed treatments.
And not only that: the fundus enables early detection of eye diseases for which the earlier treatment is started, the better the therapeutic outcome and the slower the progression of the disease, as in the case of glaucoma and macular degeneration.
As a complement to this information on the fundus, from the Dr. Nebro's Ophthalmology Clinic Finally, we would like to end with a word of advice: we recommend that you have your eyes checked at least once a year. This advice applies both to those who already have an eye problem and to those who have perfect vision.