Fundus Examination (Ophthalmoscopy): What Is It For?

and to the lens, that is, the vitreous body, the retina and the papilla of the optic nerve.

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The fundus examination allows to detect the presence and monitor the progression of some pathologies, such as retinal detachment, age-related macular degeneration and other forms of maculopathy. symptoms such as lacunar defects (scotomas, phosphenes) and loss of half of the visual field (hemianopia), floaters (the so-called flying flies).

, that is the vitreous body, the retina (in particular, the macula, the central retinal area) and the papilla of the optic nerve.

The fundus examination is sometimes referred to as ophthalmoscopy, referring to the instrument used by the ophthalmologist to study the back of the eye: the ophthalmoscope.

of gelatinous consistency, colorless and transparent, which occupies the cavity of the eyeball between the posterior surface of the lens and the retina (vitreous chamber). This mass helps to maintain the shape of the eye (fills the bulb), promotes the diffusion of nutrients and protects against microtraumas coming from the outside (absorbs shocks). Furthermore, being transparent, the vitreous body represents a means of refraction and, as such, allows the unobstructed transmission of light up to the retina (dioptric function). With the examination of the fundus, it is possible to verify the presence of its degeneration or any vascular anomalies.

Retina: is the thin layer of tissue that lines the back of the eye, tightly adheres to the inner wall. The retina is sensitive to light: nerve cells and photoreceptors (cones and rods) convert the light signals perceived by the eye into nerve stimuli . This visual information is sent via the optic nerve to the visual cortex, allowing the brain to process the focused images. Among the various applications, the fundus examination allows us to evaluate, in particular, the state of health of the macula, that is the part of the retina responsible for central vision, which allows us to focus our eyes on the center of the visual field, straight in front of us. Compared to the rest of the retina, the macula is the most sensitive area in clearly distinguishing details, so it allows, for example, to thread the thread through the eye of the needle, read small print, recognize faces and see traffic signs during the guide. The examination of the ocular fundus allows the observation of the retina, allowing to identify the presence and monitor the evolution of pathologies, such as macular degeneration, retinal detachment, etc.

Papilla of the optic nerve: also known as the head of the optic nerve, it represents the beginning of the optic pathways, ie that set of ganglion fibers which, starting from the retina, connect the eyeball to the brain. This component is essential to activate vision correctly. The optic nerve is in fact responsible for the transfer of electrical impulses resulting from the retinal receptor transduction, allowing visual perception. With the examination of the ocular fundus, it is possible to observe in detail the conformation of the optic nerve head, in order to identify the presence of local or systemic pathologies (eg diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, etc.).