Biomicroscopy is the use of a binocular microscope with a high-powered light beam to examine the anterior segment of the eye, including the cornea, lens, and anterior chamber. It allows visualization of opacities, changes in shape or width, vascularization, and refraction. Performing a good slit-lamp exam requires proper animal restraint and adjustment of the microscope and light source to examine structures with diffuse and focused light.

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Biomicroscopy
Dr Frank FAMOSE
DVM, CES Ophtalmologie
Ekaterinburg May 2010
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What is biomicroscopy ?
Binocular microscope High power light beam
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For what use ?
Other structures
Anterior segment examination
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Historique
• 1911 : first Slit Lamp (Gullstrand)
• 1953-1959 : first veterinary publications
(Uberreiter)
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Technical aspects
• Binocular microscope
• Magnification 5-40x
• Zoom (optical or digital)
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Technical aspects
• Light source
• External, pivoting,
adjustable
• Filters
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Technical aspects
• Same focus for
microscope and light
• Corneal and lens
€ optical cut •
• Retroillumination
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Available devices
• Static or table-mounted • Portable slit lamps :
slit lamps : Topcon, Kowa, Zeiss, …
Zeiss,…
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How to perform a (good) slit-lamp
exam ?
• Adjustements
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How to perform a (good) slit-lamp
exam ?
• Animal restraint
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How to perform a (good) slit-lamp
exam ?
• Examination with
diffuse light
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How to perform a (good) slit-lamp
exam ?
• Examination with
large slit source
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How to perform a (good) slit-lamp
exam ?
• Examination with
focal slit source
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What can we see ?
• Opacities
• Modification of shape or width
• R•fraction
• Vascularisation
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Corneal ulcer
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Corneal ulcer
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Corneal vascularisation
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Corneal vascularisation
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Vascularisation
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Lens Opacities
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Anterior capsular Opacities
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Refraction
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Refraction
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Opacities
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Refraction
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Opacities and refraction
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Refraction
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Opacities
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Conclusion
• Essential exam in ophtalmology
• Only adnexae and anterior chamber
• Many optic capabilities
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