Another D.O. thread

[J.opt]

---

Members don't see this ad.

So they told us this week that Monday is the due date for our direct ophthalmoscope and retinoscope purchase.

I was wondering if optometrists routinely used any of these. I searched the OD and OMD forums and a lot of people have said that they never use their Direct after school. I don’t remember the ODs I shadowed using the Direct either (I think you can see the same thing using the slit lamp and a lens?), and I hadn’t even heard what a retinoscope was until this week.

I know that we have to buy them, and have no choice, but why do they make us buy these if we aren’t going to use them? (I’m not whining, just wondering 🙂 ) (Someone mentioned something about buying a used D.O., just to use it during school).

Also, are we allowed to use a panoptic during boards?

Thanks.

 

[Richard_Hom]

(...)but why do they make us buy these if we aren’t going to use them? (I’m not whining, just wondering 🙂 ) (Someone mentioned something about buying a used D.O., just to use it during school) (...)

Dear J.OPT,

There are several instances where facility with the direct ophthalmoscope is needed.

1. Field practice of optometry where a slit lamp is not available.
2. WHere electricty may not available for a indirect ophthalmoscope
3. Mass screenings. It is much quicker to look at the optic nerve head with a direct than a indirect.
4. A direct is excellent to estimate the size of the optic nerve head which is not possible by any other instrument.

Richard

 

[cpw]

Also, are we allowed to use a panoptic during boards?

Thanks.

As I recall.... I never touched my direct during boards.

 

[xmattODx]

So they told us this week that Monday is the due date for our direct ophthalmoscope and retinoscope purchase.

If I could only have one piece of equipment it would be a retinoscope. Get good at retinoscopy and you've found yourself a niche: peds, mentally disabled, and other non-verbal patients.

 

[Ryan_eyeball]

lol @ using an O-scope. I wouldn't know what I would do without my 90D lens for fundus views. There are some patients have very miotic pupils that you have to use a direct O on, but I still prefer the 90. And plus you don't have to get up in the patients face, and smell their breath's, or body odor (maybe its just the population I'm seeing now that is poor hygenic).

Retinoscopy: I highly recommend the Keeler Ret, because I've found it to be the easiest to use, and it can get the brightest streak/& change angle/axis.

Good luck.

 

[stompy]

Nope, can't use Panoptic in boards, as far as I know anywho...


Yep, I'm one of those people that opt to use used O-scope and Ret-scopes. Funny how it worked out, because in the end, I have two sets...a WA and Heine. But I got to say, they are cheaper together than if I bought a brand new set.

 

[J.opt]

Thanks guys, after a little research I've decided to buy the Keeler set.
To use the 90D you need a slit lamp, right?

Yep, I'm one of those people that opt to use used O-scope and Ret-scopes. Funny how it worked out, because in the end, I have two sets...a WA and Heine. But I got to say, they are cheaper together than if I bought a brand new set.

Did you get them from Ebay? I have been looking around but I guess that the good deals are alredy gone 😡