The introduction of new condensing lenses for fundus examination.

BACKGROUND

Examination of the inner eye is an important part of any comprehensive eye examination. There are a number of instruments used for examination of the ocular fundus; each has its advantages and disadvantages. Many of these instruments rely on hand-held lenses of which there are a number of options.

METHODS

A doublet design lens consisting of two aspheric, plano-convex lenses, which have their convex sides facing toward each other and are separated by an air space, was evaluated and compared with other commercially available condensing lenses.

RESULTS

A + 13.5 and +16 diopter doublet lens can be a valuable lens for binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy when compared with currently available, commercially available lenses.

CONCLUSIONS

Innovative designs in lenses used with binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy may add considerably to the enhancement of the examination of the ocular fundus.