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 features of instruments used that determine which of the two procedures is adopted. For this reason, each type of examination uses its appropriate funduscope. The direct funduscope is tiny, almost the size of a hand-held torch, with potent lenses offering enlargement.

There are many advantages of using this indirect gadget. The first is that it provides a better view of the fundus of the eye and thus can even be seen with the lens covered with cataracts. It has condensing lenses that improves the field of view to up to 30 degrees. This makes it even better to view the retina in a peripheral way. Because of the improved way of view, you can be sure of best retinopathy assessment process using this gadget.

Utilizing an indirect funduscope has distinct advantages over its equivalent. It offers a broad perspective that renders a detailed view of the area around the eyes. This clear representation is achievable should the lens be covered by cataracts. The breadth of perspective increases by thirty degrees when facilitated by the potency of condensing lenses. By enabling a peripheral view of the retina, this approach is better, because it facilitates the retinopathy assessment process.

An additional feature is enhanced clarity of the retinal opacities, improved by clearer lighting that enables visualization through any dense cloudy obscurity. The augmented perception forms when channels of the incident and the reflected lights become separated, which does not happen in the case of the direct method. Oblique illumination is boosted by augmenting the pigmented lens size. In addition, the funduscope can be either monocular or binocular and is used during peripheral viewing of the retina.

When adopting a binocular ophthalmoscope, the examiner gets access to stereoscopic view. This allows determination of retinal detachment, should it be present, through three dimensions, and produces advanced stereoscopic images that are brightly lit. The full assembly is portable. Whilst being used, the lens is held away from the body of the practitioner and close to the patient's face. This prevents the examiner from invading the patient's personal space, thereby creating a comfort zone for 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.

Some disadvantages of going for the indirect funduscope include the complications of inverted vertical and horizontal images, along with lowered levels of magnification. It must be remembered that acquiring a perfect perspective can take a lot of time and patience. No technique is ever perfect, but some offer advantages over other comparative ones. Currently, the binocular indirect ophthalmoscope is preferred in the optometry market because of its many advantages.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment