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Flaum Eye Institute / Healthy Eyes / Tele-I-Care / Protocol / Quick Guide to Successful Photos

Quick Guide to Successful Photos

patient at Topcon

Quick Guide Downloads

Possible Image Artifacts, Causes & Solutions

  • Alignment issue (appears as a yellow crescent along edge or through photo): machine error
    Solution: Retake the photograph in order to gain a better view of the area
  • Working Distance (appears as blue crescent along edge or through photo): machine error
    Solution: Retake the photograph in order to obtain a better view
  • Poorly Dilated Pupil (makes image appear very dark)
    Solutions: Turn down the room lights, have patient close their eyes for a short time before the photograph. If no good image can be obtained, the external photograph will give a visual explanation of why the image was of poor quality.
  • Poor Media (i.e., Cataracts. Will appear as a hazy over the image)
    Solution: Nothing can be done to get through opacity in eyes. External photograph will give a visual explanation of why the image was of poor quality.
  • Poor Fixation (patient not looking at the target)
    Solution: Remind patient (as many times as needed) to keep looking at the target. If they cannot see the target, use a small object (i.e., a pen, a finger, anything for them to focus on with their other eye) to move around and get them to look where you need.
  • Eyelashes (appears as a haze in a streak-like fashion in the image)
    Solution: Have the patient blink several times then open wide only when you are ready to take the image. If necessary, use a gloved finger to hold the eyelid open during the photo.
  • Dust/Dirt (appears as out-of-focus spots all around the picture. Stays in the same place throughout all images)
    Solution: Gently use a microfiber cloth to wipe the surface of the lens. If this does not help, please call or email a member of the Tele-I-Care team to come remove the dust or dirt from the camera lens. Do not use tissues or napkins.

External Photos

undilated pupil photo

Undilated pupil: May create shadows/darker areas in images

dilated pupil photo

Dilated pupil: Should show a clear and full view of the retina

Good Quality Images

photo 1

 

photo 2

 

photo 3

 

photo 4

 

photo 5

 

photo 6

 

Poor Quality Images

Alignment issue

Alignment issue: Machine error, retake photo

Wrong fixation

Wrong fixation: Ask patient to look at the center of X

Poor dilation

Poor dilation: Turn down room lights/have patient close eyes for a few moments

Poor media

Poor media: Nothing can be done, external photo will help the doctor to understand why the image is poor quality

Underexposed

Dirt and dust: Have the patient sit back and then you can clean the lens with a microfiber cloth provided before continuing

Eyelashes photo

Eyelashes: Ask patient to open wider/hold lid