Ophthalmoscopy

  • Viewing of optic fundus to identify abnormalities of vitreous, retina, optic disc
  • Learn to perform direct ophthalmoscopy
  • Consider dilating pupils for better view, using...
  • Tropicamide 1%, parasympatholytic agent that also paralyzes accommodation, so that...
  • Those under age 50 may have temporary trouble reading, but effects wear off within 4 hours
  • Tropicamide-induced angle closure glaucoma rare, unpredictable, and usually reversible, but may require care by ophthalmologist
  • Optic disc elevation could mean papilledema from increased intracranial pressure, optic neuritis, ischemic optic neuropathy, congenital anomaly
  • Optic disc pallor could mean many kinds of optic neuropathy, including ongoing compression by orbital or intracranial tumor, previous inflammation, trauma, infarction
  • Retinal hemorrhages could mean diabetes, hypertension, thrombocytopenia or other blood dyscrasia, central retinal vein occlusion, radiation retinopathy, or other retinopathies
  • Macular discoloration could mean age-related macular degeneration, inflammation, trauma, or other maculopathies
  • Yellow-white flecks could mean cotton wool spots, retinitis, drusen, or other conditions (see yellow-white things in retina)