Each medical specialty has its own diagnostic instruments, but ophthalmology is undoubtedly the one that has the greatest variety: retinograph, surveyor, campmeter, keratometer, etc.
The slit lamp is part of the group of tools that an ophthalmologist needs to diagnose various conditions, such as the cataracts.
A test with this tool allows the doctor to examine deeply the anterior and posterior structures of the eye.
En Área Oftalmológica Avanzada We explain what a slit lamp is and how you can explore the eye with this diagnostic instrument.
What is the Slit lamp?
The slit lamp is a binocular microscope that contains a high intensity light that projects into the eye as if it were a very thin line.
The light that radiates is so powerful that it allows the ophthalmologist to observe in three dimensions, and with a ampBinding between 6 and up to 40 increases, the anterior structures of the eye: cornea, iris, conjunctiva, sclera, crystalline and anterior chamber.
Special lenses can be adapted to the slit lamp to observe deeper areas of the eye such as the vitreous humor, retina, the optical disk and the optical papilla.
A slit lamp test allows the ophthalmologist to diagnose conditions such as glaucoma, Cataracts and macular degeneration.
However, the test can also find other conditions not associated with the eyeball, such as some types of cancer.
How is a slit lamp scan done?
Eye examination with slit lamp is a simple, painless and non-invasive procedure that is carried out in the ophthalmologist's medical office.
The scan is quick and it is not necessary to use any type of anesthesia.
To perform this examination, the patient must sit directly in front of the slit lamp, with the head straight and the chin resting on the chinrest of the equipment.
When the scan begins, the patient should stare and without blinking the light projected by the binocular microscope.
It is important that the patient does not move and avoids blinking as much as possible so that the ophthalmologist can obtain detailed and very accurate images of the health status of the different ocular structures, but especially the retina.
If the doctor needs to thoroughly examine the cornea and the tear layer, it may be possible to apply some drops of yellow fluorescent dye to the eye or touch the sclera with a cotton swab moistened with dye.
In either of the two forms, the dye disappears on its own as the patient blinks.
If the specialist wishes to observe the posterior parts of the eyeball with a slit lamp, he will have to dilate the pupil.
In these cases, the patient is recommended to attend accompanied the examination, not to drive and to wear sunglasses after the test. When the pupil dilates, it is normal to stay at least three hours with blurred vision.
Do you want to continue investigating about the slit lamp? Contact us in Área Oftalmológica Avanzada and we will solve all your doubts.
