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North Toronto Eye Care incorporates cutting-edge diagnostic tools that exceed standard OHIP-covered services. OPTOS multi-modal technology uses ultra-widefield imaging (UWF) and Fundus Autofluorescence (FAF) that provides eye care specialists with unmatched retinal visibility, enabling early intervention for diseases like diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and retinal tears.1

OPTOS utilizes scanning laser ophthalmoscopy to capture up to 200 degrees of the retina in a single image – nearly four times the field of traditional imaging.2 This ultra-widefield (UWF) capability visualizes 82% of the retinal surface, including the far periphery. Unlike conventional methods requiring pupil dilation, OPTOS imaging is frequently performed without drops, reducing patient discomfort and clinic time.

Multimodal Imaging: Beyond Structural Analysis

  • Colour imaging maps vascular and structural abnormalities
  • Red-free imaging enhances contrast for evaluating nerve fiber layers
  • Fundus Autofluorescence (FAF) detects metabolic activity through lipofuscin distribution
  • Fluorescein angiography asses blood flow dynamics

This multimodal approach allows clinicians to correlate anatomical changes with functional deficits, a critical advantage in complex cases.

Fundus Autofluorescence (FAF): Illuminating Hidden Pathology

FAF imaging exploits lipofuscin’s natural fluorescence—a byproduct of photoreceptor turnover—to map retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) health.2 Increased lipofuscin (hyperautofluorescence) signals RPE stress, while hypoautofluorescence indicates cell death. In AMD, FAF reveals geographic atrophy progression years before visual symptoms emerge. For inherited retinal diseases like retinitis pigmentosa, FAF patterns predict disease trajectory and therapeutic response.

“FAF’s ability to detect metabolic dysfunction makes it indispensable for managing degenerative retinal conditions”3

Clinical Applications Across Retinal Disorders

OPTOS UWF imaging identifies peripheral nonperfusion and neovascularization in diabetic patients. A 2015 study found 19% of eyes were graded as more severe using UWF imaging, directly impacting treatment plans.2 Early detection of ischemic areas facilitates targeted laser therapy in diabetic retinopathy.3

UWF imaging captures peripheral breaks and subclinical detachments often overlooked in dilated exams. In retinal tears or detachments, OPTOS visualizes vitreoretinal traction and subretinal fluid extent, guiding surgical planning.3 For exudative detachments secondary to inflammation or tumors, FAF differentiates active lesions from chronic scarring.4

FAF highlights metabolic stress in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), revealing geographic atrophy progression in AMD years before symptoms onset.2 FAF-defined lesion growth rates predict rate of vision decline, informing lifestyle and treatment decisions.

Posterior uveitis often manifests with peripheral vasculitis and retinal snowbanking—lesions optimally visualized via UWF imaging. FAF hyperautoflorescence indicates active inflammation (ie. uveitis), while hypoautofluorescence signal RPE atrophy, guiding prognosis and management plan.5

“Advanced imaging bridges the gap between pathology and clinical presentation, allowing us to treat the disease process, not just symptoms.”6

OPTOS Imaging improves diagnostic accuracy, reduce vision loss risks, and optimize outcomes in complex retinal diseases. Please ask our Retina Team at North Toronto Eye Care for more information.

References

  1. https://www.optos.com/providers/
  2. Price LD, Au S, Chong NV. Optomap ultrawide field imaging identifies additional retinal abnormalities in patients with diabetic retinopathy. Clin Ophthalmol. 2015 Mar 24;9:527-31. doi: 10.2147/OPTH.S79448. PMID: 25848202; PMCID: PMC4376301.
  3. Kumar V, Surve A, Kumawat D, Takkar B, Azad S, Chawla R, Shroff D, Arora A, Singh R, Venkatesh P. Ultra-wide field retinal imaging: A wider clinical perspective. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2021 Apr;69(4):824-835. doi: 10.4103/ijo.IJO_1403_20. PMID: 33727441; PMCID: PMC8012972.
  4. https://www.optos.com/blog/2016/may/ultra-widefield-imaging-characterizes-peripheral-retinal-changes-associated-with-amd/
  5. https://eyeandear.org/2025/01/the-role-of-advanced-imaging-technologies-in-the-future-of-eye-care/
  6. Li Y, Xia X, Paulus YM. Advances in Retinal Optical Imaging. Photonics. 2018 Jun;5(2):9. doi: 10.3390/photonics5020009. Epub 2018 Apr 27. PMID: 31321222; PMCID: PMC6639094.