Our office proudly offers the iWellness Exam as an addition to the standard eye exam. Based on a state-of-the art technology known as Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT), the iWellness Exam is used to detect signs of vision threatening diseases in the eye , even before symptoms arise; when they are most treatable.
How does it work?
In a matter of seconds the iWellness Exam takes a laser scan of the retina which generates a high definition cross-section image, similar to that of an MRI. This image is then saved to your permanent exam record, so that it can be reviewed in the future.
What does it show?
The image generated is a cross section of the retinal tissue. With this image, the doctor is able to see the inner anatomy of the eye with unprecedented quality and precision. From there, they can inspect the structures within the eye to see if there are any abnormalities that may be indicative of disease.
At what age should one have an iWellness Exam?
It is beneficial for anyone over the age of 18 to have an iWellness exam, as it can provide a baseline for what the retina should look like before any symptoms are experienced. However, it is especially beneficial for those over 30 years of age, as this is when most diseases of the eye begin to arise. Early detection of disease is crucial in both stopping and preventing damage to the tissue within the eye.
What types of disease does it screen for?
While a plethora of diseases can be detected by the iWellness Exam, the three most common are:​
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Glaucoma ​​
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Disease in which the nerve fiber of the retina is damaged by elevated pressure within the eye.​
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Usually develops without symptoms. 2.29 million adults in US diagnosed, and an estimated 2 million more undiagnosed.
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Macular Degeneration
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Disease in which the center of retina (macula) is damaged by the surrounding blood vessels ​​
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Leading cause in vision loss of Americans 55 and older
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Diabetic Retinopathy
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Disease in which complications of diabetes mellitus damage blood vessels of the retina​
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Leading cause of blindness, affects 80% of those who have had diabetes for 10 years or more
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Is it covered by insurance?
Because the iWellness Exam utilizes such state of the art technology, most vision insurances have yet to cover this exam as part of the routine eye exam. For this reason, we offer this test to each patient for a nominal fee in addition to their exam copays.
When can I have an iWellness Exam?
An iWellness Exam can be had in conjunction with the preliminary testing that comes before each routine eye exam.