direct ophthalmoscope

[golgi]

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I will be starting ophtho rotations soon too. However, i don't have that much hands-on exposure. My problem is that I can't seem to see much at all when I look into a patient's eyes with a direct ophthalmoscope. I am hoping it's because the eyes aren't dilated. Should I worry?


Also, how long will it take to get the hang of the slit lamp. I tried it just a few times but I can't seem to get it to move the way I want it to. I hope it's just practice makes perfect b/c right now I feel like an absolute tool.

thanx in advance

 

[Morton]

Hey Golgi,

I'm in the middle of my second Ophtho rotation, and I had zero hands-on exposure before I started them. Ophthalmologists almost never use the direct, but it is infinitely easier with a dilated eye. As for the slit lamp, it is awkward at first, but I'm sure you'll get it after a few days. I stayed a little late after my first day to just play with all the knobs, and try to get the hang of it. I hung a napkin where the eye would have been so I had something to look at. You should try to learn how to use the lenses and indirect scope as soon as you can, too. They can be really awkward too, but you'll see a lot more and will impress your attendings if get the hang of them.

There's also a helpful book, called "Practical Ophthalmology" that goes through how to use various instruments.

Don't feel like a tool -- these things are hard for everyone to use, at first. Good luck.

 

[golgi]

Morton,

Thanks for the encouraging words dude! BTW, the Practical Ophthalmology Book - is the latest one from 1996 or do they have a newer edition out?

Best of luck on your rotations and residency search!

golgi

 

[Retinamark]

how long will it take to get the hang of the slit lamp. I tried it just a few times but I can't seem to get it to move the way I want it to. I hope it's just practice makes perfect b/c right now I feel like an absolute tool.

thanx in advance

When you're in the clinic, the senior guys want to teach you how to recognise signs & pathology. If you can't focus the slit lamp, when they show you a patient with Pigment Dispersion, or Pseudoexfoliation for example, you've got no chance of seeing it & are really wasting your time. Everyone is the same when they start - I was too. You can really jump ahead by spending an hour with one of your buddies & practicing focusing on different things & moving all the way out & coming in & focusing on the cornea as soon as possible. When the senior resident shows you something, you want to be able to zoom straight in on it, & not spend 5 minutes looking for the cornea. Pick the cutest girl in your study group & spend an hour gazing into her eyes 😍 😍 😀

If you're really lucky, you might see her pupils dilate