Ophthalmoscopy and Examination of the Fundus

Key points

• • Ophthalmoscopy is the examination of the fundus, the inside back of the eye, seen through the pupil.
• • Direct ophthalmoscopy gives a highly magnified but small, upright view, useful for the optic disc.
• • Indirect ophthalmoscopy gives a wider but less magnified, inverted view, and shows the peripheral retina better.
• • A widened (dilated) pupil and a bright light let more of the retina be seen, especially at the edges.
• • The fundus shows the optic disc, the retinal vessels, the macula, and any haemorrhages, exudates or detachment.