ophthalmoscope question

[exmike]

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We're starting to collect equipment for our physical diagnosis courses at my medical school. Some higher ups have been "pushing" this new "PANOPTIC" ophthalmoscope on us. It costs about 200 more than the normal ophthalmoscopes. Supposedly it has much better resolution but I could tell since I didnt really know how to use it. It looks like a ray gun if you ask me.

Anyway, do you guys have experience with the Panoptic opthalmoscope? Is it worth getting over the 'normal' ones? Thats the $200 broke medical student question.

 

[Morton]

We're starting to collect equipment for our physical diagnosis courses at my medical school. Some higher ups have been "pushing" this new "PANOPTIC" ophthalmoscope on us. It costs about 200 more than the normal ophthalmoscopes. Supposedly it has much better resolution but I could tell since I didnt really know how to use it. It looks like a ray gun if you ask me.

Anyway, do you guys have experience with the Panoptic opthalmoscope? Is it worth getting over the 'normal' ones? Thats the $200 broke medical student question.

Hey Exmike,

The Panoptic's better and easier to use. You can see much more of the retina, and it gives a little distance between you and the patient. It easier to use in that you focus before examining the patient, and don't have to fiddle with it much after that. On the downside, it's expensive, bulkier, and if you go into Ophthalmology, you'll probably never use it after med school.

 

[doc05]

if you go into Ophthalmology, you'll probably never use it after med school.

and if you don't go into ophthalmology, you won't need it either. med school administrators tend to be unrealistic about money. save your cash!

 

[Elephantitan]

and if you don't go into ophthalmology, you won't need it either. med school administrators tend to be unrealistic about money. save your cash!

I disagree. If you go into some other surgical specialty, you likely will have no need for an ophthalmoscope. However, if you're in primary care or ER and never looking into eyes, you aren't doing your job. The pan-optic can make this task much easier for the non-ophthalmologist and increase the accuracy of and confidence in diagnoses. That being said, I do think med students should save their money until deciding on a career. While you could eventually ebay the pan-optic and re-coup a lot of money, you still lose a lot. Plus most clinics have directs in the rooms.

 

[Visionary]

I honestly haven't even gotten a lot of use out of my old-school ophthalmoscope. When on call or in clinic during med school and prelim years, there are usually scopes available (wall-mounted or not) if you need them. There were rare occasions that I found myself carrying my own ("travel light" is my motto). The same might be said of your future practice, regardless of specialty (assuming you will even need to look at the eye). I say save your money.