The process of examining the inner eye using ophthalmoscope is known as ophthalmoscopy. There is direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy. In the former procedure, the image of the eye is usually produced in an upright image which usually takes up to 15 times the original size. Indirect ophthalmoscope inverts the image to a size between 2 to 5 times its actual size. This procedure is used in the process.

There are different characteristics of the instrument that differentiates between the two types of the procedure. For this reason, each of the procedure has its special type of instrument. The direct instrument is small, about the size of a flashlight with powerful lenses for magnification.

There are many advantages of using this indirect gadget. The first is that it provides a better view of the fundus of the eye and thus can even be seen with the lens covered with cataracts. It has condensing lenses that improves the field of view to up to 30 degrees. This makes it even better to view the retina in a peripheral way. Because of the improved way of view, you can be sure of best retinopathy assessment process using this gadget.

Using the procedure has advantages over its counterpart. It offers a wide field of view that gives a clearer view of fundus of the eye, possible even when the lens covered by cataracts. The field of view increases to thirty degrees using the powerful condensing lenses. This enables peripheral viewing of the retina which is better. The increased field of view also improves retinopathy assessment process.

An additional feature is enhanced clarity of the retinal opacities, improved by clearer lighting that enables visualization through any dense cloudy obscurity. The augmented perception forms when channels of the incident and the reflected lights become separated, which does not happen in the case of the direct method. Oblique illumination is boosted by augmenting the pigmented lens size. In addition, the funduscope can be either monocular or binocular and is used during peripheral viewing of the retina.

The stereoscopic images that result from this equipment are of high quality and illuminated well. The equipment itself is very portable and the doctor or examiner only needs to hold the lens at proximity of length of arm close to the eye of the patient. The advantage this gives is that the patient will not be intimidated at all however apprehensive they may be.

The indirect type of instrument allows a wider working distance for the patient and doctor. This means that even lower powered lenses can provide larger views. It does not demand strict cooperation as is the case with its counterpart. It allows for viewing retina in far ends.

There are disadvantages of using the indirect ophthalmoscope as well, including the issues inverted horizontal and vertical images, lowered levels of magnification. Also, obtaining a perfect view can take plenty of time and requires patience. No technique is perfect, but some are quite advantageous over closely related ones. Currently, the binoculars procedure is the most preferred kind in the market based of the above advantages.