What is Ophthalmic Photography?
Ophthalmic Photography is the art and science of photography as applied to the eye. It is used in both the clinical practice of ophthalmology as well as in research applications. We use clinical ophthalmic photography to document a patient's ophthalmic condition and to monitor the course of their eye disease. Documentation involves the use of different specialized cameras for different areas of the eye.
The mainstream of ophthalmic photography is the fundus photograph. These photographs are taken with a unique camera which operates like an indirect ophthalmoscope. Using electronic flash and color film, photographs of the inside back of the eye are made to document the course of retinal diseases.
The primary diagnostic test in ophthalmic photography is fluorescein angiography. Although this test can also be performed on the anterior segment of the eye, most studies are made of the retina using the fundus camera. These black and white photographs are made to study retinal circulation. Using fluorescein sodium, which responds by fluorescing in the presence of blue light, abnormal patterns of circulation are studied for diseases such as diabetes, macular degeneration, tumors, vascular occlusions, trauma, and hereditary diseases. Medical treatment is prescribed based upon these photographs. A newer procedure called Indocyanine Green Angiography (ICG-A) uses a different dye that responds to infrared light and looks at deeper retinal layers than the standard fluorescein angiogram. This study helps to visualize leakage not normally visible with the standard fluorescein angiogram. Patient information about angiographies
Although film has been the typical medium for ophthalmic photography for over 30 years, recent advances in digital imaging has brought this new technology to ophthalmic photography. Even though indocyanine green was available 25 years ago, it relied upon the uncertainties of infrared film. Although video technology sees infrared all too well, the resolution of traditional video was not adequate until the recent advances in digital imaging dramatically improved the video signal. Using this new technology allows us to work with and help develop the latest advances in diagnostic imaging for ophthalmology.
External photographs are taken to record features of the eye involving the face, lids, as well as eye motility. A photo slit-lamp camera looks more closely at the lids, the sclera, cornea, and lens. Using the principals of slit-beam illumination, we photograph abnormal features present in these clear structures of the eye. Gonio-photography, in conjunction with the slit-lamp camera, uses a contact lens with internal mirrors to permit photography of the angle between the iris and the cornea.
Using an illumination technique called spectral reflection, the cells on the back side of the cornea (endothelial cells) are photographed using a specular microscope to calculate cell-density in the event of cellular loss due to trauma or disease. These images are recorded onto videotape, and prints are made for reference.
Link to the Ophthalmic Photographers' Society 
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