When capturing a digital image using the retinal camera, what should the patient focus on?

When capturing a digital image using a retinal camera, the patient is typically instructed to focus on a green "X." This focal point helps to stabilize the patient's gaze and ensures that the camera can obtain a clear and directed image of the retina. The green "X" serves as an easily identifiable target that aids in aligning the patient's eye correctly with the camera’s optical axis for optimal imaging.

This practice is essential because any movement or misalignment during the imaging process can lead to blurriness or distortion in the captured image, potentially compromising diagnostic accuracy. Therefore, a clear visual target like the green "X" facilitates better image quality and contributes to the effectiveness of the retinal examination.