2020–2021 BCSC Basic and Clinical Science Course™
3 Clinical Optics
Chapter 8: Optical Instruments
Anterior- and Posterior-Segment Imaging
Surgical Microscope
The operating microscope works on principles similar to those of the slit-lamp biomicroscope. The illumination source of the operating microscope, unlike that of the slit-lamp biomicroscope, is not slit-shaped, and the working distance for the operating microscope is longer to accommodate the specific requirements of ocular surgery. The illumination is said to be “coaxial.” However, it is technically paraxial rather than coaxial (Fig 8-13), as the viewing apertures and illumination path are separated in modern operating microscopes.
Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series : Section 3 - Clinical Optics. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.