How does the Optyse work?

Like other direct ophthalmoscopes, Optyse utilises the cornea and the lens of the eye under observation to produce a magnified image of the retina.

However, the design ensures that good quality retinal images can be obtained without the use of correcting lenses. Patented features provide even illumination of the eye and reduce stray light and glare which can degrade image quality.

The images obtained by Optyse are non-inverted and the magnification is typically 15x, although the exact magnification will depend on the eye under observation - for myopic (short sighted) patients the magnification is likely to be higher and for hypermetropic (long sighted) lower.

For an emmetropic (normal sighted) patient and observer, light emerging from the eye of the patient will be parallel and will therefore be focused on the retina of the observer provided they both focus at a distance.

If the observer and/or the patient have uncorrected myopia or hypermetropia, then the ability to form a sharp image on the observer retina will depend on the accommodation of their eye. Experience with Optyse suggests that if the patient and/or the observer normally need distance glasses, then they should wear glasses during the examination but in other situations it is best to remove glasses before the examination.