A mydriatic fundus camera photographs the retina after the pupil has been widened with dilating eye drops. A non-mydriatic fundus camera aligns and focuses with infrared light in a darkened room, so it can photograph the retina through the natural pupil of suitable patients, without drops and without the waiting time dilation adds.
What does a fundus camera do?
A fundus camera photographs the back of the eye: the retina, the optic disc and the macula. The images can be reviewed, stored and compared over time, which makes them useful for screening programs, optical practices, eye clinics and hospital departments.
The main practical question is whether the pupil needs to be dilated first. That decides how long each patient takes, who can be imaged, and where the camera can be used.
Mydriatic vs non-mydriatic at a glance
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| Mydriatic (with dilation) | Non-mydriatic (without dilation) | |
|---|---|---|
| Pupil preparation | Dilating drops before imaging | None in suitable patients; the room is darkened so the pupil opens naturally |
| Time per patient | Longer: the drops need time to take effect | Shorter: imaging can start straight away |
| After the exam | Blurred near vision and glare sensitivity for several hours are common | No dilation after-effects |
| Small pupils, cataract | Better suited, because the pupil is held wide open | Limited by the camera’s minimum pupil size |
| Angiography (FFA) | The usual way it is performed | Needs an angiography-capable version, normally used with dilation |
| Typical settings | Retina clinics, angiography, detailed documentation | Screening programs, optical practices, busy clinics, outreach |
How does a non-mydriatic fundus camera work?
In a dim room the pupil widens on its own. The camera uses infrared light, which the patient barely notices, to find the pupil, align and focus. Because infrared light does not make the pupil constrict, the pupil stays open until the picture is taken with a short visible flash.
Automation matters here. Automatic pupil search, alignment, focus and exposure shorten each exam and make results less dependent on operator experience. On some models a single key captures both eyes in sequence.
When is pupil dilation still needed?
- Pupils smaller than the camera’s minimum, which is common in older patients and with some medications.
- Dense cataract or other media opacity, where a wider pupil lets more light through.
- Fluorescein angiography (FFA) and other examinations that are normally performed with dilation.
- Detailed views of the far periphery beyond what single images or a mosaic cover.
Many non-mydriatic cameras can also image a dilated eye, so a practice does not have to choose one approach for every patient. Whether to dilate is a clinical decision for the examining eye-care professional.
Which type suits your practice?
- Screening programs and optical practices: a non-mydriatic camera with a low minimum pupil and automatic capture keeps patient flow fast and avoids dilation after-effects.
- Outreach, bedside and multi-site work: a portable or handheld non-mydriatic camera that can travel to the patient.
- Retina clinics needing angiography: a desktop camera with FFA or FAF functions, used with dilation for those exams.
- Clinics that do both: a desktop non-mydriatic camera with a mydriatic mode covers routine imaging and dilated cases.
ENOCHTEC non-mydriatic fundus cameras
All four ENOCHTEC fundus cameras capture 50° per image. The desktop models can combine images into a mosaic of up to 135°.
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| Model | Format | Minimum pupil | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kestrel 3100m | Desktop, automatic | ≥2.8 mm | One-key capture of both eyes; DICOM 3.0 |
| RetiCam 3100 | Desktop, integrated computer | ≥3.3 mm | FFA and FAF on specific versions |
| Kestrel 300 | Portable, 3.6 kg with case | ≥3.0 mm | Voice-guided capture of both eyes |
| CFC-X | Handheld, under 600 g | 2.5 mm | White and infrared LED; Wi-Fi, USB, SD |
Specifications are taken from each product page. Final configuration, accessories and documentation are confirmed in the quotation for your market.
For a side-by-side comparison with image resolution and data connections, see the fundus camera buying guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a mydriatic and a non-mydriatic fundus camera?
A mydriatic fundus camera is used after the pupil has been widened with dilating drops. A non-mydriatic fundus camera uses infrared light to align and focus in a darkened room, so it can photograph the retina through the natural pupil of suitable patients without drops.
Can a non-mydriatic fundus camera be used with dilation?
Yes. Many non-mydriatic cameras can also image a dilated eye. On ENOCHTEC desktop fundus cameras a mydriatic mode is available for cases that need it.
What is the minimum pupil size for a non-mydriatic fundus camera?
It depends on the camera. ENOCHTEC models specify minimum pupils from 2.5 mm (CFC-X handheld) to 3.3 mm (RetiCam 3100). A lower figure means more patients can be imaged without drops.
Is fluorescein angiography possible with a non-mydriatic camera?
Fluorescein angiography is normally performed with the pupil dilated and needs a camera version with angiography functions. Among ENOCHTEC cameras, FFA and FAF imaging are available on specific RetiCam 3100 versions.
What field of view does a fundus camera capture?
ENOCHTEC fundus cameras capture 50° per image. The desktop models can combine several images taken at different fixation points into a mosaic of up to 135°.
Choosing a fundus camera for your practice?
Tell us where the images will be taken, your typical patients and how images should reach your records. We will recommend a model and send a quotation.
Request a quoteThis guide is general information for equipment buyers. Clinical decisions, including whether to dilate, are made by qualified eye-care professionals.