ophthalmoscope versus retinoscope for objective refraction?

[dima]

Hello to everyone.

My friend use an ophthalmoscope instead than retinoscope for refraction... it seems easily than classic retinoscopy seeing the eyes.... except for the fact than you have to set up the ophthalmoscope lenses first.

Any advice? or resource for learning more???

[pknsbeans]

Uhhhhh.....
What?
I mean, sure, there's a diopter dial on an ophthalmoscope... But you have to be stranded some place with no auto refractor, retinoscope, phoropter or compass before using an ophthalmoscope as a means of refraction.

[dima]

this "friend" can use it "like" a retinoscope he can use it for objective refractions in alternative to retinoscope when it is not avaiable.

he put lateral to the patient and see the shadow.. like in a standard retinoscopy use a lens for correct distance and put lenses in trial frame... if the shadow is down is like myopic reflex in retinoscopy... when the shadow go centered is the neutral point.

He is not avaiable to teach me so I searching in internet to learn more...but I cannot find anything only an article in reaserchgate but I cannot read it for free: Use_of_an_Ophthalmoscope_for_Objective_Refraction_of_Noncoop erative_Patients... so I ask here.

[Michael I. Davis]

I was taught to refract with a "streak" retinoscope. There is/was also a spot version but I think both have to do with converging/diverging light and an opthalmoscope has parallel light, so I guess I don't know.

Oh, wait, I know. There is a way to estimate the amount of refractive error by looking at the pupil and seeing a shadow in the red reflex. I think it was something like the if the shadow is below the red reflex that is myopia and the more shadow the greater the myopia.

I used to have an instrument that used polaroid film and would take photos of infants and it used that technique to estimate refraction. I think it is the Welch Allen spot screener

[drk]

Your friend is kind of astute. He's on to the principle involved in some of the refractive error photoscreeners that are sometimes used by pediatricians.

But your friend is kind of stubborn. For only a few dollars, he could buy a retinoscope head for his ophthalmoscope that would make life much simpler.

[rbaker]

Jack Copland must be turning over in his grave.