The META Scholar Volume 3 | Page 22

Page 21 Medical Device and Medical Diagnosis: Ophthalmoscope and Retinopathy. The prototype for the modern ophthalmoscope was invented by Charles Babbage in 1847. The modern ophthalmoscope was designed by Hermann von Helmholtz in 1851. The name for ophthalmoscope was put into common use in 1854. An ophthalmoscope is used to view the fundus, or the posterior part of the eye. Its clinical applications are for pre-screening patients with macular degeneration, glaucoma, and retinal detachments. By first locating the optic disc through the ophthalmoscope, you can examine the retinal arteries and veins coming out the optical disc. The next time you and a fellow BMET are inspecting the ophthalmoscope, look for the optic disc on the medial side of the fundus. http://www.college-optometrists.org/ en/knowledge-centre/museyeum/ online_exhibitions/ optical_instruments/ ophthalmoscopes/ ophthalmoscopes2.cfm In this article, the reader will: Learn the parts of the Ophthalmoscope. Learn the major parts of the retina. Learn indicators of hypertensive retinopathy Learn indicators of Macular Degeneration Learn indicators of diabetic Retinopathy Anatomy of the Ophthalmoscope: Head: The head is made up of several components. The diopter disc is what controls the aperture sight. For you gun enthusiasts, this is what allows you to aim the device. Moving the diopter disc changes the lenses while the reading window shows which lens number is currently in front of the reflecting mirror. If you turn the diopter disc clockwise, you will see the lens number show negative numbers, -1, -2, -3, -4, -5, -6, -8, -10, -16, 20, -25, -35D. If your Ophthalmoscope does not show negative numbers, it will show absolute value of the numbers, but with a color red. The negative numbers represent the focal point of concave lenses. If you move the diopter disc counter-clockwise, you will see the lenses number move into positive numbers, +1, +2, +3, +4,+5, +6, +8, +10, +12, +16, +20D. Again, positive numbers will be represented in green on some ophthalmoscopes. The positive numbers indicate convex lenses are in front of the mirror.