Ophthalmoscopy

Practical medical physiology Ophthalmoscopy
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14- Ophthalmoscopy
Introduction:
Ophthalmocopy is a procedure to study the interior of the eye (optic disc, blood
vessels of retina). It represents an important test in diagnosis of certain diseases of the
vascular and nervous system (figure 14-4). Optic disc normally is circular, some times
oval. The normal disc looks rosy tint, but paler than the rest of the fundus. Normally
there is physiological cup. Edge of the disc should be clear. The arteries are normally
distinguished from veins by; the arteries are only 2/3 or 3/4 the width of the veins and
they are not so dark in color, figure (14-1).
Figure (14-1): Normal retinal vessels.
Objectives:
1- To examine optic disc shape, color, physiological cup and edge of the disc.
2- The retinal blood vessels.
3- The macular region.
4- The peripheral of retina.
Subjects and instruments:
1- Ophthalmoscope.
2- Subjects.
Ophthalmoscope is instrument consist of:
a- A cylindrical base for the dry batteries.
b- An electrical bulb. c- Series of lenses to focus the light (Figure 14-1).Practical medical physiology Ophthalmoscopy
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Figure (14-2): demonstrating the ophthalmoscope
Methods:
1- The subject should be examined either sitting or lying down in a dark room.
2- Ask the subject to fix his eyes by looking at a point.
3- The ophthalmoscope is held few centimeters from the subject eyes and suitable
lens is used.
4- The ophthalmoscope should be brought as close as possible to the subject eyes and
the light directed slightly nasally, in this way the optic disc can be found. The light will
not shine directly on the macula. Shining light on macula will make the pupils contract,
so examination of fundus will be difficult.
5- If the optic disc is not in focus, the strength of the lenses of ophthalmoscope should
be gradually reduced or increased until the disc become sharply focused.
6- Do not take more than few seconds over any attempt.
7- Examine the eyes of the subject with the corresponding your eyes (right eye of
subject with your right eye and vice versa), figure (14-3).
Figure (14-3): Examining right eye with direct ophthalmoscope.
8- You can repeat the examination after a short interval of rest, to avoid eye fatigue.Practical medical physiology Ophthalmoscopy
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9- Draw and write your observation about optic disc shape, color and other
characteristic appearance about retina blood vessels in result of your report.
Figure 14-4: shows the ophthalmoscopy of patient with diabetic retinopathy