Why It Is Done
A slit lamp exam may be done:
- As part of a routine eye exam along with other
procedures to evaluate the eye, such as ophthalmoscopy, vision testing, or
tonometry (to measure pressure in the eye).
- To look at structures
in the back of the eye, such as the optic nerve or retina.
- To help
detect disorders in the structures in the front of the eye, such as infection
or injury to the cornea,
,
, or
.
- To help detect and monitor
or
.
- To check for a
foreign body, such as a metal fragment, on or in the eye.
- To detect
eye problems that may be caused by other diseases, such as
or
. Routine slit lamp exams are
important to detect eye problems at an early stage and to guide treatment if
eye problems develop.
- To monitor complications such as bleeding
after an eye injury.
- To monitor complications such as cataract
formation that occur because of
,
, or after a
.