Qualities of a Good Ophthalmoscope

An ophthalmoscope is one of the most important tools that optometrists and medical doctors use when performing eye exams. The ophthalmoscope magnifies and illuminates the eye to give the optometrist a better view. This makes selecting a quality ophthalmoscope crucial for delivering the best care to a patient. From features to the casing, a quality instrument can help a skilled optometrist discern different parts of the eye while spotting abnormalities with better accuracy.

Types

• The different types of ophthalmoscopes available include both portable and wall-mounted instruments. Portable ophthalmoscopes come in both a compact size and a heavy-duty size. The heavy-duty ones last much longer and don't break down as often. If you want a portable one for trips to other clinics or hospitals and prefer quality, you will want to go with a heavy-duty portable rather than a compact. Wall-mounted ophthalmoscopes are meant for the exam room and are what most optometrists prefer. Head-mounted units offer hands-free operation.

Established Brand

• Go with a brand that is well-regarded in medical circles for high-quality equipment, with a focus on solid craftsmanship. A well-established brand tends to produce high-quality ophthalmoscopes they continually conduct research to produce better quality products with better craftsmanship. You may pay more, but if your equipment lasts three or four times longer than an economical unit, then it ends up paying for itself. Not to mention the reliability factor, as this is crucial when diagnosing patients.

Ophthalmoscopes for Different Purposes

• The two kinds of ophthalmoscopes are direct and indirect. The indirect kind offers better resolution for stereoscopic images when looking at the posterior of the eye, while the direct kind is intended more for fundus examinations. If you specialize in a specific area of optometry, then selecting the right type will afford you better quality when diagnosing patients.

Integrated Systems and Important Features

• You will also find integrated systems on the market that are wall-mounted and offer ophthalmoscopes, a manometer, an electronic thermometer, a specula dispenser and handle-based rheostats as one unit. Such units come in handy if you prefer to have everything you need in one place; such units may save you time and help you see more patients if you have a busy schedule at one location. Other important features include selecting units with halogen lamps, which are brighter and use white light, helping you to see the true colors of tissues when examining patients. Also take into account aperture settings when selecting your equipment.