Lecture: The value of ultra-widefield in retinal imaging

Evaluation of the peripheral retina is critical in the diagnosis and follow-up of retinal diseases. Signs arising from periphery are particularly dangerous because typically they don’t immediately affect patients’ sight, and so they may be not noticed in time. Ultra-widefield imaging enables early detection and monitoring more extensive ocular pathologies that may first present in the periphery. At the centre of the retina, even very small signs of pathology can have a dramatic impact on patients’ vision. Image quality enabling detail discrimination capacity, from macula to the periphery, is crucial. Devices designed to provide ultra-widefield, high-quality retinal images are the key for appropriate disease management.

Learning outcome(s):

Practitioners will recognise the benefits of ultra-widefield imaging to aid diagnosis and management of retinal abnormalities (s.5).