Dim the lights
With any eye exam, you may want to dim the room lights to help dilate the pupil and improve your view.
Turn on the scope
Turn the scope on at full intensity. You may want to dim later for patient comfort. All standard Welch Allyn handles have a dimming control.
Correct for your vision
To correct for your vision, look through the scope at an object that’s about 10 feet away – and adjust the focus until it’s as clear as possible.
Select large spot
Adjust to the appropriate light setting, selecting from different size, shape or colored filters. To start, set it on the largest white spot available to illuminate the whole area of view.
Instruct the patient
Ask your patient to keep their gaze over your shoulder; this helps you gain better entry into the retina.
Eye cup helps stabilize the scope
The eye cup helps keep the device stable and helps ensure the correct working distance. During use, make sure to compress against the patient’s brow, and explain to them that it will not touch their eye.
15 degrees and level
Position yourself about 12 inches away at a 15-degree angle on the temple side of the patient and level with the patient’s gaze.
Find the Red Reflex
Now, aim at the patient’s eye and look for the red retinal reflex. Slowly follow the red reflex toward the patient and into the pupil.
Steady the Scope
As you approach the patient, it can help to steady the scope.
Examine the Eye
Move in about 1″ from the patient or until the eye cup touches the patient. At this point, the optic disc and surrounding vessels should be visible. If you lose the image, pull back until you see the red reflex again, then start back in.
Next Steps
Learn about the anatomical structures of the eye, how these parts of the eye work together and view side-by-side images of a normal, healthy eye against common eye diseases and disorders.
Educational Topics