What are the indications for retinal examination?

Indications for an examination of the retina may be Macular diseases like macular holes Glaucoma Macular degeneration Retinal detachment (Ablatio retinae) Diabetic retinopathy Retinopathy pigmentosa (retinal degeneration) Tumor

Macular diseases like macular holes
Glaucoma
Macular Degeneration
Retinal detachment (Ablatio retinae)
Diabetic Retinopathy
Retinopathia Pigmentosa (retinal degeneration)
Tumor

Is an examination of the retina useful?

An examination of the retina can be used for early detection of various eye diseases, but also existing eye diseases can be diagnosed. For example, an examination of the retina can provide indications of high blood pressure and diabetes, which manifest themselves through changes in the retina. But also eye diseases like glaucoma or degeneration of the macula (regression of the place of sharpest vision) can be detected.

What are the risks?

An examination of the retina, especially an examination with a slit lamp, has few complications. Only in very rare cases, inflammations or infections occur during an examination of the retina. If necessary, the eye or conjunctiva may be slightly reddened or watery afterwards. These symptoms should disappear by themselves in a short time.Since eye drops are often administered during an examination of the retina, which dilate the pupil, one can have an allergic reaction to them. This can manifest itself by itching or burning.

What are the costs for a retinal examination?

The cost of a retinal examination varies greatly. Depending on the procedure used for the examination of the retina, one can expect to pay between 20 and 120 Euros. Examination with a slit lamp is one of the less expensive services, while optical coherence tomography costs just over 100 Euros.

However, part of the benefits is paid by the health insurance company. In the case of existing illnesses or the suspicion of an illness, above all the examination by means of a slit lamp is covered by the statutory health insurance companies. Above all, preventive services or special examinations often have to be paid for as hedgehog service (individual health service).

Here the costs can vary from practice to practice. The costs for an examination of the retina are usually not covered by the statutory health insurance. If there is a concrete suspicion of a disease, the costs for part of the examinations, for example a slit lamp examination, are covered in appropriate cases.

In this case, you should find out beforehand from your health insurance company which services are covered and which are not. As a rule, the examination of the retina as part of a preventive examination is an individual health service (hedgehog service). The costs can vary from practice to practice and are often not covered by the statutory health insurance. If you have private health insurance, you should also ask your health insurance company which services are covered.