Retinal Photography and Angiography via Film and Digital Imaging Techniques

In ophthalmic photography little else is as true as the phrase, “One picture is worth a thousand words.” Ophthalmic photography has held a place of importance in ophthalmology since its beginning in 1886 when Jackman and Webster¹ produced the first published human fundus photographs. These images were able to show a visible optic nerve, but little vessel detail due to a large central light reflex artifact from the cornea. Prior to this time clinicians would rely solely on notes and hand-drawn illustrations to depict the changing condition of their patients’ eyes. These visual notes and descriptions were very useful, but took time and were only as good as the artistic skills of the physician creating them.