by Ahmad Sadli

Created on: July 13, 2009   Last Updated: July 14, 2009

An ophthalmoscope is an instrument used by doctors to examine the inside of a person's eye. This instrument basically has an angled mirror, multiple lenses and a light source. The mirror may come with a single hole through which the doctor may look, and a dial holding several lenses of varying strengths. The lenses can be selected and guided to allow clear visualization of the structures of the eye at any depth.

Ophthalmoscope enables doctor to see the jellylike substance in the eye called vitreous humor. It also can be used to check the retina, the optic nerve and the retinal veins and arteries. Ophthalmoscopy procedure, which is the use of ophthalmoscope device, is useful to detect changes in the retina due to eye disease. It can also be used to diagnose elevated pressure within the brain, which results in a swelling of the normally cupped optic disk.

Direct ophthalmoscope, as its name suggest is direct use and handling of ophthalmoscope device by doctors to examine the cornea, lens and retina. Ophthalmoscope is basically something like a small flashlight with magnifying lenses that shines light into the eye to enable a doctor to examine the eye. The person checked will look straight ahead while the beam of light is shone into his/her eye. Usually eye drops are given to patient to dilate the pupils, allowing the doctor to have an uninterrupted and clear view.

For indirect ophthalmoscope, the doctor uses it when direct ophthalmoscope did not yield a satisfactory view or the doctor needs a further analysis. A binocular device will be placed on the doctor's head and a hand-held lens is used in front of the person's eye to focus the image inside the eye. This technique will give a three-dimensional view and allowing a better view of objects that have depth such as a detached retina or a swollen optic disk, among others. Indirect ophthalmoscope also allows a brighter light source to be used. This is vital if the interior of the eye is cloudy that usually caused by either infection or cataract.

In term of view, indirect ophthalmoscope allows a much wider field view than a direct ophthalmoscope. So with indirect ophthalmoscope, a doctor can do a more thorough examination and check more of the retina area at once.

Ophthalmoscopy examination in general is painless, but if eye drops are used, vision may be blurred and patient will be more sensitive to light exposure for a few hours afterward. Ophthalmoscopy is a standard and common part of every regular eye examination. The device itself has evolved and becomes more advanced with new technology.

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