Optomap Retinal Imaging in Madison, OH

See more. Detect more. Protect more

At North Coast Optical, we use Optomap® ultra-widefield imaging to evaluate the health of your retina—often without dilation—allowing us to detect eye and systemic conditions early.

What Is Optomap?

Optomap is an advanced imaging system that captures a widefield view of your retina—up to 80% of the retina in a single image. Optomap is a fast, painless image suitable for all ages and takes less than 5 seconds to capture.
With Optomap, we can see significantly more of the eye in greater detail. A traditional retinal exam typically shows only a small portion of the retina at one time.

Why This Matters

Many eye and health conditions develop without symptoms in their early stages.

By seeing more of the retina, we can:

Detect both eye diseases AND other health problems earlier (see below)
Monitor subtle changes over time
Reduce the risk of vision loss

Common Health Conditions We Can Detect

In addition to systemic health findings, retinal imaging plays a critical role in detecting and monitoring common eye diseases that can affect vision.
Your eyes don’t just show eye health—they can reveal signs of systemic disease throughout the body.

Hypertensive (Blood Pressure) Changes

High blood pressure can cause visible changes in the retinal blood vessels.
We look for:

Narrowing of arteries
AV nicking
Retinal hemorrhages

These findings can indicate long-standing or poorly controlled vascular diseases.

Choroidal Melanoma

This is a rare but serious form of eye cancer that develops in the retina or can spread to the retina.
Optomap allows us to:

Detect suspicious lesions early, before other symptoms start.
Monitor for changes over time

Early detection is critical for successful treatment.

Retinal Emboli (Blood Clot)

Small cholesterol or calcium plaques can become lodged in retinal vessels without symptoms.
These may be a warning sign of:

Carotid artery disease
Increased risk of stroke

***Early detection can be life-saving***

Neurological Conditions

The optic nerve can reveal signs of neurological disease and even lead to initial diagnosis.
Examples include:

Optic nerve pallor following optic neuritis
Changes associated with multiple sclerosis (MS)

Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Macular degeneration affects the central part of your vision and is one of the leading causes of vision loss.
We can detect:

Early pigment changes
Retinal deposits and atrophy
Signs of progression over time

Early detection allows for closer monitorin and timely treatment when needed.

Glaucoma (Silent Vision Loss)

Glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight” because it typically has no early symptoms. While glaucoma primarily affects the optic nerve, retinal imaging allows us to:

Evaluate optic nerve appearance
Monitor for structural changes
Compare progression over time

Many patients do not realize they have glaucoma until permanent vision loss has already occurred—making early detection critical.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Changes in the retina can be one of the earliest signs of diabetes-related damage important in monitoring control, as well as leading to initial diagnosis.
We can detect:

Microaneurysms
Hemorrhages
Fluid leakage

Early detection helps prevent vision loss and supports better overall disease management.

Retinal Holes and Tears.

Widefield imaging helps identify:

Peripheral retinal tears
Areas at risk for detachment

These can often occur without warning symptoms

Your Eye Exam Is More Than Just Vision

A comprehensive eye exam is not just about glasses or contacts. It is one of the few ways to directly observe blood vessels and nerves in the body without surgery.
This makes it a powerful tool for detecting: