Unit 10: Systemic Disease
Examination
- Examine the lens for cataract (by observing diminished red reflex):
- The red reflex is seen by shining the light of the ophthalmoscope into the patient's eye, from a few centimetres away, and then looking through the viewfinder.
- It is like the red eye seen when taking photos, which is caused by light reflected back from the inside of the eye.
- If cataract interferes with the passage of light into and out of the eye, the red reflex is diminished, or focal black areas or lens spokes may be visible with more focal cataract (posterior subcapsular lens opacities and cortical lens opacities, respectively).
- Ophthalmoscopy of fundus looking for retinopathy or maculopathy