OPHTHALMOSCOPY - An examination of the retina of the eye using a magnifying device known as a slit lamp. Structures that may be visualized include the macula, optic nerve, and retinal blood vessels. This type of examination is important in the evaluation of chronic hypertension, vasculitis, autoimmune disease, and diabetes. All of these conditions can cause pathological changes in the blood vessels and surrounding tissues of the retina that can be diagnosed using funduscopic examination. Primary eye disorders such as macular degeneration, retinal detachment, optic neuritis, and central retinal vein and artery occlusion can also be diagnosed using funduscopy.