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A full eye examination should include either retinal photography
or slit-lamp biomicroscopy.
Retinal photography is the preferred method of examination,
as it provides a permanent record of the patient's retina.
The advancement of digital photography has made storage and
retrieval of the images easier. It is carried out using a
fundus camera (a specialised low-power microscope with an
attached camera). Best results are obtained if the pupil is
dilated.
Slit-lamp biomicroscopy allows a stereoscopic view of a section
of the fundus. Using a red-free (ie green) light against an
orange background may help to detect small vessels or haemorrhages.
Indirect ophthalmoscopy, using a hand-held ophthalmoscope,
can be used when no other methods are available. It has the
advantage of being portable and relatively inexpensive, but
no permanent record of the retina is produced. [Burnett,
2001]
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