An ophthalmoscope is like an illuminated microscope for the eye. It can reveal swollen optic discs, intracranial pressure, glaucoma diabetic retinosis. It's that thing the eye doctor looks into your eye with (see image at right).
But the technology behind the devices hasn't improved much in the last century. So researchers at the University of Warwick in Coventry in the U.K. spent three years developing an ophthalmoscope that creates a high-quality digital image using fancy technology.
The quality, according to a press release from the university, is as good as the large fundus cameras (see image below) used in hospitals -- and the new version is hand-held and 10 times cheaper.
I've asked the university for a photo of the new ophthalmoscope, and I'll be checking my email eagerly for images to share with you.
New Device could revolutionise eye disease diagnosis - creating eye maps on the high street [press release]
