The ophthalmic examination

To be able to perform a proper ophthalmic examination it is necessary to have a bright focal light source such as a transilluminator or a direct ophthalmoscope. It can be useful to examine the angle of the eyelashes on the upper lid to the cornea of the two eyes, as droopiness of the lashes of the upper lid may well indicate blepharospasm, ptosis, enophthalmos or exophthalmos. Normally the eyelashes are almost perpendicular to the corneal surface. The first sign of a painful eye often is the eyelashes pointing downwards. Reflex testing: making a quick, threatening motion towards the eye to cause a blink response and/or a movement of the head tests the menace response. This is a crude test of vision. Care is taken not to create air currents toward the eye when performing this test ...