Slit Lamp Examination Overview

A specialized medical device for examining the eye, from the front to the back, using a focused beam of light.

The front part of the eye, including the cornea, iris, and lens.

The back part of the eye, including the retina, optic nerve, and vitreous humor.

A technique used to examine the eye's anterior segment, allowing visualization of different tissue layers and depths.

A technique used to examine the eye's anterior segment, providing a wide, general view.

A specialized lens used with a slit lamp to examine the posterior segment.

A procedure used to measure the pressure inside the eye.

A technique used to examine the angle between the iris and cornea, which helps assess the risk of glaucoma.

A technique using a narrow beam of light to examine the eye's anterior segment in layers, providing a 3-dimensional view.

A technique using a small bright spot or square of light to assess clarity of the anterior chamber and detect debris.

The area between the cornea and the lens, normally clear and dark.

A slight haze or cloudiness in the anterior chamber, often caused by inflammatory cells or proteins.

A debris found in the anterior chamber commonly composed of inflammatory cells and proteins.

A beam of light produced by narrowing the vertical height of a parallelepiped shape, resulting in a small spot or square of light.

A method of examining the anterior chamber of the eye using a conical beam of light, to assess its clarity and identify any debris present.

The technique where the observation and illumination systems are focused at the same point, allowing direct viewing of the illuminated area.

The technique where the observation and illumination are not focused at the same point, creating a softer, less intense light and allowing better visualization of fine details.

The process of adapting the eyes to darkness, allowing them to become more sensitive to light.

Cells or other debris found in the anterior chamber, often associated with inflammation.

A technique that illuminates the object from behind, creating a 'softer' light that helps visualize fine details. It's particularly useful for viewing structures that are easily 'bleached out' by bright direct illumination.

A technique where a focused beam of light is directed at the edge of the cornea (limbus), causing the light to reflect within the cornea. Normal corneas reflect light freely, appearing clear. Abnormal corneas scatter light and appear gray or white, revealing subtle changes like edema or scars.

Retro-illumination where the light source is positioned very close to the eye, usually at an angle of 0-5 degrees. This method allows for a detailed examination of the retina and its structures.

An angle of illumination used in retro-illumination that is generally between 30 and 45 degrees. This angle provides an optimal balance between visibility and minimizing blinding glare.

This technique involves examining the eye's anterior segment by focusing a beam of light on different areas, allowing the examiner to see intricate details and structures.

A technique using a narrow beam of light to examine the eye's anterior segment in layers, providing a 3-dimensional view. It uses reflected light from the cornea to visualize the tear film and endothelium, helping to detect irregularities, deposits, or excavations in these structures.

Using various filters to enhance the assessment of certain structures and abnormalities in the eye. These filters modify the light passing through the slit lamp, improving visibility depending on the structure being examined.

A technique used to assess the depth of the anterior chamber, which is the space between the cornea and the iris.

Cobalt blue filter is used with fluorescein dye to visualize corneal staining. The blue light enhances the visibility of the green fluorescein, outlining areas of corneal damage or disease.

A barrier filter used with fluorescein eye dye to visualize corneal staining. It allows only specific wavelengths of light to pass through, improving the clarity of fluorescein staining.

Used to make blood vessels and rose bengal stain appear black, enhancing the contrast between these structures and the surrounding tissue.

Uniformly decrease illumination intensity, minimizing glare and discomfort for the patient. This can be useful for sensitive eyes or when examining structures that are difficult to see under high intensity light.

A clear layer of fluid that covers the front of the eye, playing a crucial role in vision, lubrication, and protection.

The depth of the anterior chamber (DAC) is compared to the thickness of the cornea (CT) to assess the width of the angle of the anterior chamber. This ratio is used to classify the eyes into different grades based on the risk of angle closure glaucoma.

A grading system used to assess the width of the anterior chamber angle (the space between the iris and cornea) based on the ratio of anterior chamber depth (DAC) to corneal thickness (CT).

It establishes the relationship between the depth of the anterior chamber (DAC) and the thickness of the cornea (CT). This helps to determine the likelihood of angle closure glaucoma developing. This ratio is used to determine the size of the angle between the iris and cornea. A narrower angle increases the risk of angle closure glaucoma.

This lighting technique illuminates a thin section of the eye's anterior structures and allows for visualization of different tissue layers and depths. This is essential for examining the layers of the cornea, iris, and lens. It provides detailed views of the different structures of the eye.