Everyone gets excited over obtaining a new gadget—ophthalmologists included! Our office is excited to tell you about our new camera from ZEISS, the Clarus 500. This new imaging system makes our jobs easier—and improves our patients’ lives!

As you can see from the photo below, the Clarus 500 provides a highly-detailed, ultra-wide image of the entire retina. This is an improvement over older imaging systems that only capture a small portion of the retina in each image. With high resolution and true color, diagnosing retinal problems is easier than ever. Keep reading to learn more about this innovative instrument and discover how it will help keep your eyes in top condition.

Why is retinal imaging necessary?

A healthy retina is vital for clear vision. When the retina is diseased or damaged, it cannot send clear vision signals to the brain. This results in vision loss or impairment. Comprehensive eye exams include retinal imaging because problems in this area are easier to treat when caught early.

What conditions can be detected through retinal imaging?

It’s not uncommon to discover serious retinal problems during an exam—even if you’re symptom-free. A comprehensive eye exam with retinal imaging is often the only way to detect many serious eye conditions and diseases, including:

• Retinal tears and detachment
• Age-related macular degeneration
• Glaucoma
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Hypertension
• Intraocular tumors

What makes the Clarus 500 better than other imaging systems?

Details are important, especially when it comes to eye health. Early signs of a retina disorder may be subtle and difficult to detect with lower-resolution imaging systems. The Clarus 500 allows Dr. Matzkin to clearly monitor subtle changes over time.

In addition to showing superior detail, the Clarus 500 has an ultra-widefield viewing range. This permits Dr. Matzkin to seamlessly view a wider portion of your inner eye, instead of having to piece together the smaller images generated from other equipment. This camera also allows your doctor to montage two or more images to clearly view an even larger section of your eye.

Images generated with the Clarus 500 also have exceptional color quality. This helps Dr. Matzkin identify and document ocular disorders that manifest through subtle changes in color.

What is it like to have my retina viewed through the Clarus 500?

Your experience will be similar to other comprehensive eye exams you’ve had. The Clarus 500 features a patient-centric design that includes a simple head and chin rest. You will sit in a chair and lean forward to comfortably position your chin and forehead. Once the technician is satisfied with your positioning, they will ask you to remain still while they move the device to painlessly capture images of your inner eye.

Experience it for yourself!

If you’d like to schedule an appointment, please call or text (423) 855-8522. You can trust our doctors, Dennis Matzkin M.D., and Dr. Kelly Herron O.D., to treat your vision and eye health with the utmost care and the highest level of skill and professionalism. We strive for excellence at Allied Eye and you can look forward to a welcoming and professional eye care practice.