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A brilliant take on examining the front of the human eye – the slit lamp examination!

Optometry

Dr Timothy Root, a practicing ophthalmologist and cataract surgeon from Florida has put together a YouTube video about using a slit lamp (the microscope used to examine our patient’s eyes).

Dr Root starts off by looking at how a slit lamp is put together, and why the practitioner needs to be comfortable when setting up the instrument. He also covers lining up the patient correctly, and then gets into the structures to be examined with the slit lamp:

  •     External – cheek, nose, brow
  •     Lids and lashes
  •     Conjunctiva & sclera
  •     Cornea (clear window at the front of the eye)
  •     Anterior chamber (fluid filled space between the back of the cornea and the iris)
  •     Iris
  •     Lens
  •     Vitreous

After demonstrating the structures to be examined on a model eye, Dr Root then shows what it’s like to examine a normal eye, and then examples of abnormal findings on slit lamp examination. The abnormal findings he covers include infections, diabetic complications, remnants of previous inflammatory problems, extreme allergies and cataracts.

I couldn’t help but share this fantastic video of things optometrists and ophthalmologists might see when examining the anterior segment of our patient’s eyes. It might be useful if you are considering a career in either of these professions!

Amanda – Optometrist and Founder My Health Career.

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