Indirect Ophthalmoscopy: An Abandoned Workmanship

Purpose: We sought to evaluate the application of indirect ophthalmoscopy in the routine practice of retinal surgeons.

Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was circulated among various ophthalmologists. Potential participants were vitreoretinal surgeons and those ophthalmologists who work in a vitreo retinal department in Asia, The United Kingdom and USA. The respondents were asked to mark either “YES” or “NO” for the given questions through google survey form.

Results: Responses were obtained from 68 ophthalmologists in total out of which 57(83.82%) were retinal surgeons and 11(16.18%) were not. 66 (97.06%) admitted using an indirect ophthalmoscope in their routine practice whereas, only 2 (2.94%) were not using it routinely. 43(63.24%) considered it to be an essential tool for examining retinal patients and 25(36.76%) do not consider it a compulsory part of the retinal examination.

Conclusion: Unfortunately, the majority of ophthalmologists seem to be naive to the imperative requirement of indirect ophthalmoscopy in order to examine vitreo retinal patients, notwithstanding the certitude that this skill has been considered mandatory in routine clinical practice of ophthalmologists.