Skioscopy - what is it? Ophthalmology methods for determining the type of eye refraction

Skioscopy is a technique that helps to check the functional state of the eye. This study is based on the ability of the organ of vision to refract light rays, which is called refractoriness. The cornea and lens are responsible for this process. If you perform a skioscopy, you can determine whether the patient simulates a disease or not. The procedure is performed both in children and in adults, and it is also recommended for patients with mental disabilities, when it is impossible to determine visual acuity by other methods. Also, skioscopy is also called shadow breakdown, keratoscopy and retinoscopy.

What is a skioscopy?

Skyscopy is a study that helps establish the ability of the pupil to refract light. The discoverer of this technique is considered to be Cune, it has been known since about 1873. Literally, the name of this method translates as "consider the shadow." During the examination, the specialist uses a skioscope, which is presented in the form of a mirror with a handle and two surfaces - flat and convex. Be sure to install a light source at the eye level at the side of the patient, and beams of light are directed to the pupil, resulting in a light spot. In the center of the device is a hole through which the patient observes the shadow, constantly moving the pupil around the axis. The direction of movement of the light spot will depend on the mirror used, patient refraction and distance.

Answering the question, skioscopy - what is it, consider the distance recommended for the procedure. During the examination, the distance between the patient and the specialist should be at least half a meter. To obtain accurate research results, it is recommended to use cycloplegia. Only a specialist can determine the degree of the disease using scioscopic rulers.

What are the indications for skioscopy?

This method of eye examination is recommended for patients with visual impairment, which were identified earlier during the examination. Also, do not exclude skioscopy in such cases as:

1. Myopia is a defect that is accompanied by impaired refraction of the eye. It arises as a result of many provoking factors, accompanied by severe symptoms. It is a progressive disease.
2. Hyperopia is a pathological condition that is considered a common problem. It is diagnosed in different age groups. It occurs for many reasons, accompanied by severe symptoms. Treatable, contact lenses for vision can be used.
3. Astigmatism or combined disorders. This disease must be treated in order to avoid all sorts of complications. Often diagnosed in childhood. Causes of occurrence are not fully established. It is accompanied by severe symptoms, is treated and corrected with special lenses.

Skioscopy - what is it? This is a research method that, in parallel with primary diagnosis, helps to control the rate of development of pathologies and diseases, as well as to track how effective the prescribed treatment is.

Skioscopy is an informative diagnostic method that helps detect diseases and visual impairments in both adults and children. The foundations of the method are objective data that help to obtain the correct results. It is worth remembering that this type of research is carried out exclusively in medical institutions, including in children's ophthalmological centers.

Why else prescribe a skyscraper?

Skyscopy is also recommended for determining visual impairment that have not previously been identified. If the patient was diagnosed with astigmatism, then in addition to this study, additional examinations are recommended to help prescribe the most effective treatment.

Also, very often the technique is prescribed to those patients who simulate diseases and impaired functionality of the organs of vision. As for the instrumental study, it is recommended more for the children's age group and patients with intellectual disabilities.

So, now it’s becoming clearer what it is - skioscopy. This is a study that is not conducted in an alcoholic or narcotic state. Also, the procedure is not recommended for patients with mental disorders, which can be dangerous for others. In any case, during the examination, skyscraper rulers are always used to help make the correct diagnosis.

Advantages of the technique

Skyscopy is a common method for detecting visual impairment. This study has a number of positive aspects, such as:

1. The economic side. For the study, expensive equipment is not required, therefore, the procedure does not apply to the costly methods of examination and diagnosis.
2. Increased accuracy of results. The correctness of the diagnosis, as well as the prescribed treatment, will depend on this indicator. An important place during the examination is occupied by the professionalism of a specialist, which is worth paying attention to.
3. Painlessness. During the procedure, the patient does not have a feeling of discomfort. A very important point, especially when examining children.
4. Simplicity. During the procedure, the patient is only required to sit still and fulfill all the requirements of a specialist.

From the foregoing, it is clear that skioscopy is a simple and effective method that helps to identify various diseases and visual impairments with minimal time and money.

Are there any contraindications?

Skioscopy - what is it? This examination, which has not only positive aspects, but also has contraindications, which are necessarily taken into account when appointing the procedure. A patient is not recommended for skioscopy if:

1. Mental illnesses with objective unbalanced behavior are diagnosed. In this state, the patient during the examination is able to harm not only himself, but also others.
2. The state of drug or alcohol intoxication. In such a situation, the specialist will not be able to make an accurate diagnosis, since the condition of the eye will be impaired.
3. The patient has photophobia.
4. The patient suffers from an allergic reaction to atropine or cyclodol.
5. The age category of the child does not exceed seven years.
6. There is an eye disease - glaucoma or suspicion of it.

If the specialist ignored the above contraindications for the procedure, then the results of the study will be inaccurate and the prescribed treatment will be ineffective, it can even harm the condition or aggravate the situation.

How is skioscopy performed?

Skyscopy refers to the instrumental method of examining the eye, which is carried out in several stages. To obtain reliable results, you must adhere to the following points:

1. Cyclodol or Atropine, a short-acting agent, is instilled into the patient's eye. These drugs can provoke ciliary muscle paralysis, i.e. cycloplegia.
2. The patient is led into a darkened room and sit on a chair. Opposite is a specialist, the distance between them should be at least 50 cm. Then a beam of light is sent to the patient in the eye.
3. Using a skyscraper, the doctor monitors the reaction of the patient's eye.
4. To track reflexes, the specialist uses a two-sided mirror, with the help of which he directs a ray of light. It is recommended that you rotate the tool slowly around its axis to see how the shadow moves.
5. Then, skioscopic rulers with positive and negative lenses are used. The magnitude of the lens used helps determine the degree of anomaly of refraction of the eye.

This procedure, carried out correctly, helps to identify irregularities and successfully correct them using special optical devices - lenses or glasses. They are considered quite effective in correcting refractive errors. Aoscopy is performed the same way, regardless of the age of the patient and the medical institution, whether it be a children's ophthalmological center or a city hospital.

Refraction Methods

Methods for determining refraction may depend on the type of lens that is used during the examination of the patient’s eyes. To establish the degree of astigmatism, the patient is advised to undergo a cylinderoscopy, during which a test eyeglass frame is put on and various lenses are placed in the nests - spherical and astigmatic. They help to simultaneously neutralize the shadows.

Also, a type of examination, such as baroscopy, can be prescribed to the patient, during which special devices are used. They help to form a light source in the form of a strip. Pupils often have banded scioscopy, since it has increased accuracy and reliability.

Only the specialist can determine the type of study necessary for the patient after a preliminary examination of the organs of vision and familiarization with the symptoms. Do not engage in self-diagnosis and therapy, as this can lead to negative consequences and a deterioration in the general condition.

What you should pay attention to?

When conducting this type of eye examination and diagnosis, a specialist must pay attention to important points. If you ignore these nuances, then such a negligent attitude can lead to negative consequences and complications from the side of visual function. So what is worth paying attention to?

1. The ruler on which the lenses are located should be in a vertical position and at a distance of 1.2 cm from the top of the convex part of the eyeball. If everything is done correctly, the result will be reliable.
2. After using the drug, the patient should look at the hole, which is located in the mirror. With preserved accommodation, the patient will look past the face of the doctor.
3. If there is no shadow on the patient’s eye when examining at a distance of more than 1 m, then myopia is diagnosed - 1.0 diopters.
4. Examination results depend on the mirror used.
5. Shadow test must be carried out in a darkened room.

It must be remembered that if the shadow is unstable, then this indicates a lack of cycloplegia.

Skioscopy devices

During the procedure, special scioscopic rulers are used. The kit necessarily includes frames with negative and positive lenses, which have different diopter. The rulers have optical glasses; an engine with additional lenses is also used, with an optical power of 0.5 to 10 diopters.

The set is stored in a special case, in a closed form, to prevent metal corrosion. It is recommended that the surface of the device is occasionally treated with a napkin. After the examination, the handle must be treated with hydrogen peroxide, and once every 7-10 days to carry out a complete disinfection of the device.

Skyscopy is a study that helps to identify and eliminate many visual impairment disorders. It is considered a truthful and effective method, it is distinguished by its accessibility and painlessness. Based on the results, treatment is prescribed and it is recommended to use contact lenses for vision. Widely used in all medical institutions.