Ophthalmoscopy
Ophthalmoscopy is examination of the interior of the eye with an ophthalmoscope, especially the retina, optic disc, and retinal vessels.
Direct ophthalmoscopy: A technique that uses a handheld instrument to view an upright, magnified image of the fundus. It is the standard close, monocular method of examining the fundus.
Fundus of the eye: The interior surface at the back of the eye, including the retina, optic disc, and retinal vessels. It is the principal region inspected during ophthalmoscopy.
Diabetic retinopathy: Retinal damage caused by diabetes, including microaneurysms, hemorrhages, and abnormal new vessels. These visible retinal changes are a major target of diabetic eye screening.
Optical coherence tomography: A noninvasive imaging method that uses reflected light to create cross-sectional images of ocular tissues. It reveals retinal layers in cross-section rather than relying only on a viewed fundus image.
Indirect ophthalmoscopy: A technique using a light source and condensing lens to produce a wider, inverted view of the retina. Its broad field complements the direct method, particularly when surveying the peripheral retina.
Retina: The light-sensitive neural tissue lining the back of the eye that converts light into signals for the brain. Its appearance and lesions form the main subject of the examination.
Hypertensive retinopathy: Retinal vascular changes associated with elevated blood pressure. Ophthalmoscopy can reveal vessel narrowing, hemorrhages, and other hypertensive changes.
Fluorescein angiography: An imaging test that tracks injected fluorescein dye through retinal and choroidal blood vessels. It shows vascular leakage and circulation that ordinary ophthalmoscopy cannot directly map.
Fundus camera: An optical instrument that photographs the interior surface of the eye, including the retina and optic disc. Photography records fundus findings for documentation and comparison.
Optic disc: The retinal area where optic nerve fibers exit the eye and retinal vessels enter and leave. Its color, margins, and cup are assessed for signs of nerve damage or swelling.