What is ultra‑widefield retinal imaging — and how is it used in The Valeda Clinic at Peter Ivins Eye Care?
When most people think of retinal photography, they picture a small “postage stamp” image of the back of the eye. That’s useful—but for modern macular care, it’s not enough.
In dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD), the macula is the headline area. But the context around the macula matters: peripheral retinal health, vascular clues, co-existing pathology, and—crucially—the ability to track subtle change over time with images that are consistent, high-resolution, and repeatable.
That’s why ultra‑widefield retinal imaging is a core pillar of the Valeda Clinic at Peter Ivins Eye Care—and why we use Scotland’s first ZEISS CLARUS 500 to obtain super high-definition, true-colour retinal images from the macula out towards the periphery.
This post explains:
- what “ultra‑widefield” means (and what most standard retinal photos miss)
- why ultra‑widefield imaging is relevant even when your main concern is AMD
- what makes ZEISS CLARUS 500 different (true colour, clarity, multimodal imaging)
- how we combine CLARUS with OCT/OCT‑A and longitudinal software to monitor change
- how this supports safer, more confident management in a Valeda monitoring pathway
Quick takeaway: Ultra‑widefield imaging gives us a much broader view of the retina, with detail good enough to support longitudinal comparisons—and when combined with OCT/OCT‑A and Retina Workplace software, it becomes a powerful “track-and-trend” system for patients with macular disease.
1) What is ultra‑widefield retinal imaging?
Ultra‑widefield (UWF) imaging refers to retinal imaging that captures far peripheral retina in addition to the posterior pole (macula and optic nerve).
A widely cited 2019 consensus from the International Widefield Imaging Study Group recommended standardised nomenclature:
- Widefield images extend beyond the posterior pole to the posterior edge of vortex vein ampullae in all quadrants.
- Ultra‑widefield images show retinal features anterior to the vortex vein ampullae in all quadrants (far periphery).
Popular clinical summaries describe UWF imaging as typically representing around 110°–220° fields of view, depending on device and method, and emphasise that modern devices can capture over 200° of retina.
Why does this matter for patients?
Because important signs of disease don’t always sit neatly at the centre. Peripheral changes can influence diagnosis, risk assessment, referral decisions, and long-term monitoring—especially in people with multiple risk factors (diabetes, hypertension, high myopia) or mixed retinal findings.
2) “But my problem is AMD—why do we look beyond the macula?”
Dry AMD is macular—but patients are not “macula-only.”
Here’s why we image ultra‑widefield in a macular clinic:
A) To document the macula in true colour with high-definition context
ZEISS positions CLARUS as “imaging ultra-wide without compromise,” emphasising True Color and high-resolution across an ultra-widefield image—helpful when subtle colour differences (e.g., pigment changes, haemorrhage suspicion, lesion appearance) may influence differential diagnosis.
B) To spot co-existing retinal issues that can affect symptoms and monitoring
Even when AMD is the main diagnosis, co-existing peripheral pathology (e.g., myopic degeneration changes, peripheral haemorrhage, suspicious lesions) can contribute to symptoms or change how often we monitor and what tests we add. Peter Ivins Eye Care’s own educational content highlights that harmful disease can occur in the far periphery and that standard photos capture a limited area compared with ultra-widefield imaging.
C) To create a “baseline map” for side-by-side comparison over time
Longitudinal monitoring is the heart of modern macular care: what matters is not only “what it looks like today” but whether it’s changing. Peter Ivins Eye Care emphasises side-by-side comparisons as a way of detecting subtle change.
3) Standard retinal photos vs ultra‑widefield: what’s the difference?
Many practices offer retinal photography, but the field of view can vary widely.
“Standard retinal photography” often captures only 30–45° (a relatively small portion of the retinal surface), whereas their CLARUS-based approach can capture a far wider retinal view.
The Review of Optometry technology overview describes the evolution from 45° posterior pole photos toward modern WF/UWF devices capable of capturing over 200° of retina, with UWF defined by anatomical landmarks and typically corresponding to 110°–220°.
Bottom line: a wider view can reveal clinically meaningful findings that might otherwise sit outside the captured frame.
4) Why we use ZEISS CLARUS 500 in The Valeda Clinic
There are several UWF systems on the market, but CLARUS 500 is distinctive in how it targets the balance of:
- true-colour fidelity
- high-resolution detail
- multi-modal imaging (including FAF and infrared)
- a workflow built around comparisons over time
“True Color” (and why true colour matters)
ZEISS states that CLARUS 500 produces images that “closely resemble the coloration of the fundus as seen during clinical examination,” and uses Broad Line Fundus Imaging with sequential red/green/blue illumination to support a familiar, clinically useful colour representation.
This is particularly relevant where:
- subtle pigment changes matter
- differentiating lesion appearance matters
- communicating findings to patients matters
High-resolution across an ultra-wide image
ZEISS describes CLARUS 500 as providing high-resolution across an ultra-widefield image and supporting tracking subtle pathology changes over time.
The CLARUS “analysis and interpretation guide” (hosted publicly) states that a single capture produces a 133° image with 7 μm resolution, and that images can be automatically merged to achieve a 200° field of view.
In clinic terms: this helps us capture wide coverage while still retaining fine detail, which is essential for comparing subtle changes across visits.
Multi-modal imaging in one system (colour + FAF + IR)
ZEISS notes that CLARUS 500 supports more than colour imaging, including:
- fundus autofluorescence (FAF)—FAF-Blue and FAF-Green
- infrared (IR) imaging
- external eye imaging
These modalities help clinicians assess different aspects of retinal and RPE health and track change.
And the CLARUS white paper explains how CLARUS uses Broad Line Fundus Imaging (BLFI) to capture a broader range of autofluorescence by illuminating/exciting at two wavelength ranges—supporting FAF acquisition that can be clinically valuable in macular disease monitoring.
5) “Ultra‑widefield” in the Valeda Clinic: how it supports monitoring and outcomes
Valeda photobiomodulation (PBM) pathways rely on good baseline assessment and structured follow-up, and registry designs such as EUROLIGHT emphasise imaging capture (including OCT and FAF) over multiple treatment rounds.
Ultra‑widefield imaging supports that model in three practical ways:
1) Baseline documentation you can trust
CLARUS allows detailed documentation from the posterior pole outward, giving a robust baseline to compare against future images—particularly valuable when patients feel stable but structural change is subtle.
2) Better correlation between macular changes and wider retinal findings
In macular disease, we often want to correlate:
- what the macula looks like in colour
- what the retina looks like structurally (OCT)
- what the vasculature looks like (OCT‑A, when indicated)
This is where the connected ZEISS workflow becomes powerful.
3) Longitudinal change detection: the “track and trend” advantage
ZEISS Retina Workplace is described as integrated multi-modality software that can:
- synchronise and register data (including OCT cubes with fundus images)
- register ultra-widefield fundus images with OCT angiography images
- compare up to three exams in one visualisation to detect change over time
- graphical representation of measurements going back years or decades can be compared to note subtle changes over time
This matters because AMD monitoring is a long game: the value is not only in seeing today’s status, but in detecting change early and communicating that clearly.
6) Why “Scotland’s first CLARUS 500” matters (expertise + early adoption)
Being first isn’t about bragging rights—it reflects a pattern: Peter Ivins Eye Care invests early in technology that raises the diagnostic standard.
Peter Ivins Eye Care published that they were the first practice in the UK and “amongst the first in Europe” to offer the ZEISS CLARUS 500 ultra-widefield true colour system, describing it as a major investment to support world-class eye care.
They also describe ongoing investment in advanced diagnostics and software (including ZEISS FORUM/Retina Workplace) and the goal of bringing imaging technologies beyond typical baseline examinations to support earlier detection and better monitoring.
For patients with dry AMD (and their families), this matters because:
- earlier detection of change reduces uncertainty
- better documentation supports better decisions
- clear visuals improve understanding and engagement
7) What patients experience during CLARUS 500 ultra‑widefield imaging
Ultra‑widefield photography is quick and comfortable:
- you place your chin on a rest
- you look at a target
- the camera captures images in seconds
- drops may or may not be needed depending on pupil size, cataract, and the image required
8) How we use CLARUS 500 images with OCT and OCT‑A in the Valeda Clinic
If you’ve read Blog 12 and 13, you’ll recognise the pattern:
- OCT shows structure
- OCT‑A (when indicated) shows blood flow
- CLARUS shows true-colour context + widefield documentation and can add FAF/IR when required
The real magic happens when we combine them.
ZEISS Retina Workplace is designed to integrate CIRRUS OCT data and CLARUS images and support registered, synchronised review—so clinicians can assess retinal disease comprehensively and compare across visits.
Book Now
If you have dry AMD, drusen, or a family history and you’re searching for:
- “ultra‑widefield retinal imaging Scotland”
- “CLARUS 500 retinal camera”
- “Valeda clinic Scotland”
- “advanced macular clinic near Glasgow”
…we can help you understand your baseline, your risk, and your options.
📞 Call us: 0141 943 3300
📍 Visit our clinic in Bearsden, Glasgow
📅 Book a Valeda Assessment online
Learn more at www.valedascotland.co.uk
FAQ’s
FAQ 1: What is ultra‑widefield retinal imaging?
Ultra‑widefield imaging captures the far peripheral retina beyond the vortex vein ampullae in all quadrants, providing a much wider view than standard posterior pole photos.
FAQ 2: How much retina can CLARUS 500 capture?
Public CLARUS guidance notes a single capture can be about 133° and images can be merged to achieve around 200° field of view, depending on capture. [
FAQ 3: Why is true colour important in retinal imaging?
ZEISS states CLARUS 500 produces images resembling clinical fundus coloration, supporting diagnosis and documentation where colour differences may matter. [
FAQ 4: Does ultra‑widefield imaging help with dry AMD?
It supports baseline documentation, wider retinal context, and longitudinal comparison—especially when integrated with OCT/OCT‑A review software for change detection over time.
FAQ 5: Is the test quick and painless?
Yes—Peter Ivins Eye Care notes imaging typically takes only seconds per eye, and it’s non-contact.