Ophthalmoscopy: Purpose, Procedure, and Risks
`
`Ophthalmoscopy: Purpose,
`Procedure & Risks
`
`NEWSLETTER
`Newsletter
`Medically reviewed by University of Illinois-Chicago, College of Medicine on July 5,
`2016 — Written by Janelle Martel
`Purpose
`Preparation
`Procedure
`Risks
`What is ophthalmoscopy?
`
`Ophthalmoscopy is a test that allows your ophthalmologist, or eye
`doctor, to look at the back of your eye. This part of your eye is called
`the fundus, and consists of:
`
`retina
`optic disc
`blood vessels
`
`This test is often included in a routine eye exam to screen for eye
`diseases. Your eye doctor may also order it if you have a condition that
`affects your blood vessels, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
`
`Ophthalmoscopy may also be called funduscopy or retinal examination.
`
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`
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`https://www.healthline.com/health/ophthalmoscopy[4/11/2019 11:11:16 AM]
`
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`Ophthalmoscopy: Purpose, Procedure, and Risks
`
`When is ophthalmoscopy used?
`
`Your eye doctor can use ophthalmoscopy to screen for eye diseases
`and conditions that can affect blood vessels. These conditions include:
`
`damage to your optic nerve
`retinal tear or detachment
`glaucoma, which is excessive pressure in your eye
`macular degeneration, a loss of vision in the center of your visual
`field
`cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis, an infection of your retina
`melanoma, a type of skin cancer that can spread to your eye
`hypertension, which is also known as high blood pressure
`diabetes
`
`How should you prepare for ophthalmoscopy?
`
`Before conducting an ophthalmoscopy, your eye doctor may use eye
`drops to dilate your pupils. This makes them larger and easier to look
`through.
`
`These eye drops can make your vision blurry and sensitive to light for a
`few hours. You should bring sunglasses to your appointment to protect
`your eyes from bright light while your pupils are dilated. And you should
`arrange for someone to drive you home after your test. If you do work
`that requires clear vision, such as operating heavy machinery, you
`should also arrange to take the rest of the day off.
`
`If you’re allergic to any medications, tell your eye doctor. They will likely
`avoid using eye drops if you’re at risk of an allergic reaction.
`
`Some medications may also interact with the eye drops. It’s important
`to tell your eye doctor about any medications that you take, including
`over-the-counter medications, prescription medications, and dietary
`supplements.
`
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`https://www.healthline.com/health/ophthalmoscopy[4/11/2019 11:11:16 AM]
`
`

`

`Ophthalmoscopy: Purpose, Procedure, and Risks
`Finally, you should tell your eye doctor if you have glaucoma or a family
`history of glaucoma. They probably won’t use eye drops if they know or
`suspect that you have glaucoma. The drops could increase the
`pressure in your eye too much.
`
`ADVERTISEMENT
`
`What happens during the test?
`
`At the beginning of the procedure, your eye doctor may use eye drops
`to dilate your pupils. The drops may cause your eyes to sting for a few
`seconds. They can also cause an unusual taste in your mouth.
`
`Your doctor will examine the back of your eye after your pupils are
`dilated. There are three different types of examinations that could be
`done:
`
`direct examination
`indirect examination
`slit-lamp examination
`
`Your doctor may perform one or more of these examinations to get a
`good view of your eye.
`
`Direct examination
`
`You’ll be seated in a chair. The lights in the room will be turned off.
`Your eye doctor will sit across from you and use an ophthalmoscope to
`(cid:40)(cid:44)(cid:39)(cid:50)(cid:47)(cid:50)(cid:49)(cid:3)(cid:50)(cid:51)(cid:55)(cid:44)(cid:38)(cid:36)(cid:47)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:47)(cid:47)(cid:38)(cid:3)(cid:177)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:59)(cid:43)(cid:44)(cid:37)(cid:44)(cid:55)(cid:3)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:21)(cid:22)(cid:3)
`(cid:43)(cid:36)(cid:36)(cid:42)(cid:16)(cid:54)(cid:55)(cid:53)(cid:40)(cid:44)(cid:55)(cid:3)(cid:36)(cid:42)(cid:3)(cid:57)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:44)(cid:39)(cid:50)(cid:47)(cid:50)(cid:49)(cid:3)(cid:50)(cid:51)(cid:55)(cid:44)(cid:38)(cid:36)(cid:47)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:47)(cid:47)(cid:38)(cid:3)
`examine your eye.
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`(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:22)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:28)
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`https://www.healthline.com/health/ophthalmoscopy[4/11/2019 11:11:16 AM]
`
`

`

`Ophthalmoscopy: Purpose, Procedure, and Risks
`
`An ophthalmoscope is an instrument that has a light and several small
`lenses on it. Your eye doctor can look through the lenses to examine
`your eye. They may ask you to look in certain directions as they
`conduct the examination.
`
`Indirect examination
`
`This test allows your eye doctor to see the structures in the back of
`your eye in more detail.
`
`For this test, you’ll be asked to lie down or sit in a reclined position.
`Your eye doctor will wear a bright light positioned on their forehead.
`They will shine it in your eye while holding a lens in front of your eye to
`help them examine it.
`
`Your doctor may ask you to look in certain directions while they
`examine the back of your eye. They may also apply some pressure to
`your eye using a small, blunt probe.
`
`Slit-lamp examination
`
`This procedure gives your eye doctor the same view of your eye as an
`indirect examination, but with greater magnification.
`
`You’ll sit with an instrument in front of you, known as a slit-lamp. It will
`have a place for you to rest your chin and forehead. This will help keep
`your head steady during your exam.
`
`Once you’re positioned, your eye doctor will turn on a bright light in
`front of your eye. Then they will use a microscope to look at the back of
`your eye. They may ask you to look in different directions, and use their
`finger to open your eye to get a better view. They may also apply some
`pressure to your eye using a small, blunt probe.
`
`What are the risks?
`
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`An ophthalmoscopy is sometimes uncomfortable, but it shouldn’t be
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`(cid:44)(cid:51)(cid:53)(cid:3)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:27)(cid:16)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:22)(cid:19)(cid:28)(cid:3)
`(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:23)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:28)
`
`https://www.healthline.com/health/ophthalmoscopy[4/11/2019 11:11:16 AM]
`
`

`

`Ophthalmoscopy: Purpose, Procedure, and Risks
`painful. You may see afterimages after the light has been turned off.
`Those afterimages should go away after you blink several times.
`
`In rare cases, you may react to the eye drops. This may cause:
`
`dry mouth
`flushing
`dizziness
`nausea and vomiting
`narrow-angle glaucoma
`
`Ask your doctor for more information about the potential risks and side
`effects.
`
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`Ophthalmoscopy: Purpose, Procedure, and Risks
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`Ophthalmoscopy: Purpose, Procedure, and Risks
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`https://www.healthline.com/health/ophthalmoscopy[4/11/2019 11:11:16 AM]
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