Outstanding Features Of The Indirect Ophthalmoscope

By Teri Farley


The process of examining the inner eye using ophthalmoscope is known as ophthalmoscopy. There is direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy. In the former procedure, the image of the eye is usually produced in an upright image which usually takes up to 15 times the original size. Indirect ophthalmoscope inverts the image to a size between 2 to 5 times its actual size. This procedure is used in the process.

There are different characteristics of the instrument that differentiates between the two types of the procedure. For this reason, each of the procedure has its special type of instrument. The direct instrument is small, about the size of a flashlight with powerful lenses for magnification.

This type is commonly used for routine examinations. The examination of the inner part of the eye using ophthalmoscope process has a head band that holds a light together with a small handheld lens. The design provides a wider view of the inner part of the eye.

Using the procedure has advantages over its counterpart. It offers a wide field of view that gives a clearer view of fundus of the eye, possible even when the lens covered by cataracts. The field of view increases to thirty degrees using the powerful condensing lenses. This enables peripheral viewing of the retina which is better. The increased field of view also improves retinopathy assessment process.

There is also better clarity of the organ opacities, improved by better lighting that permits visualization through the dense cloudy media. The improved vision forms when paths of the incident and the reflected lights being separate, which is not the case with direct ophthalmoscopy. Still, illumination is beneficial by increasing the pigmented lens size. Furthermore, this type can either be monocular or binocular and is used during peripheral viewing of the retina.

When using a binocular instrument, the examiner gets access to stereoscopic view. This allows visualization of retinal detachment possible in three dimensions. The procedure also produces high quality stereoscopic images that are well illuminated. The complete equipment is portable. When used, the lens is held at arm's length close to the patient's eye. This sets the examiner away from the patient, which is not intimidating in the case of apprehensive patients.

The indirect type of instrument allows a wider working distance for the patient and doctor. This means that even lower powered lenses can provide larger views. It does not demand strict cooperation as is the case with its counterpart. It allows for viewing retina in far ends.

There are disadvantages of using the indirect ophthalmoscope as well, including the issues inverted horizontal and vertical images, lowered levels of magnification. Also, obtaining a perfect view can take plenty of time and requires patience. No technique is perfect, but some are quite advantageous over closely related ones. Currently, the binoculars procedure is the most preferred kind in the market based of the above advantages.




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