Computer diagnostics of sight

From Ophthalmology Book

There are many various visual organ diagnostic methods in ophthalmology today. They differ in targets, technical design and information output.

Every patient's vision diagnostic should be done in certain order and scope, comprising all elements of a single diagnostic process.

Practically every eye disease make patient visit ophthalmologist presenting various complaints. Character of these complaints may vary considerably, but often they are typical enough to give quite a definite idea of the disease process localization and character.

Anamnesis data permit to make decision on eye diseases onset and course.

When diagnosing vision, it is very important to have information on previous and current organism's systemic diseases, among which most important are diabetes mellitus, essential hypertension, allergy, chronic viral infections etc. The reason is that materially eye diseases are often secondary ones, therefore their therapy success depends much on its aetiology.

Very important are data concerning patient's heredity. It was established that this factor is of certain importance for the course of quite a number of eye diseases (retinal abiotrophy), its anatomical and functional anomalies (e.g., defective color vision), as well as shortsightedness at certain people with myopia.

Further, ophthalmologist examines visual organ and assesses its anatomical and functional condition. As long ago as Hippocrates, admonishing his disciples, used to tell them: "The essence is to see!". These wise words have a deep value. Ophthalmologist's advertence is his or her sure and invariable companion in day-to-day work. Already at external, merely visual, examination of patient's face and eye area, an observant doctor may collect a lot of useful diagnostic information.

After external examination, patient's visual organ diagnosing should be done thought the instrumentality of diagnostic equipment in accordance with standard procedures. Any examination is to start with viso- and refractometry. Further, examination of eye auxiliary organs and eye itself, eye-bulb optical media transparency assessment, and ophthalmoscopy should be performed. After this, other examination procedures may be involved, if necessary.

Ophthalmologist carries out analysis of collected data, makes the diagnosis, and finally makes decision on eye diseases treatment.