fundoscopy is an eye examination that lets a clinician view the inside back surface of the eye. It is used to assess the retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels. It is commonly performed in optometry and ophthalmology clinics, and sometimes in general medical settings. It helps connect eye symptoms and systemic health conditions to visible changes in the eye.

A dilated fundus examination (DFE) is an eye exam that uses pupil-dilating drops so the clinician can see more of the inside of the eye. It focuses on the “fundus,” meaning the retina, optic nerve head, and retinal blood vessels at the back of the eye. DFE is commonly performed in optometry and ophthalmology clinics during routine eye health checks and when symptoms suggest retinal or optic nerve disease. It is a diagnostic examination, not a treatment.

A lens exam is the part of an eye evaluation that focuses on the eye’s internal lens (the crystalline lens) and, when present, an intraocular lens (IOL) after cataract surgery. It checks whether the lens is clear, centered, and functioning normally. It is commonly performed by optometrists and ophthalmologists during routine eye exams and cataract evaluations. It is also used when symptoms suggest lens changes, such as glare, halos, or blurred vision.

An anterior chamber exam is an eye evaluation focused on the fluid-filled space between the cornea and the iris. It helps clinicians assess the front part of the eye for inflammation, bleeding, and angle-related glaucoma risk. It is commonly performed during a routine eye exam, urgent visits for red or painful eyes, and pre‑operative assessments. It is usually done with a slit lamp microscope and may be paired with additional tests when needed.

A corneal exam is an assessment of the cornea, the clear front “window” of the eye. It checks corneal clarity, shape, surface integrity, and overall health. It is commonly performed in optometry and ophthalmology clinics during routine eye exams and urgent visits. It helps clinicians evaluate symptoms such as pain, redness, blurry vision, and light sensitivity.

A conjunctival exam is an assessment of the conjunctiva, the thin, clear tissue covering the white of the eye and lining the inside of the eyelids. It is commonly performed during routine eye exams and urgent visits for red eye, irritation, discharge, or injury. Clinicians use it to look for inflammation, infection, dryness, allergy changes, and surface damage. It is typically done with a light source and often with a slit-lamp microscope in eye clinics.

An eyelid exam is a clinical assessment of the eyelids and nearby structures around the eye. It looks at how the lids are built, how they move, and how the lid margins interact with the tear film and cornea. It is commonly included in routine eye exams and in visits for red eye, irritation, eyelid swelling, or eyelid droop. It is also used before and after many eye surgeries and contact lens fittings.

An external exam is the part of an eye evaluation that focuses on the outside of the eyes and surrounding facial structures. It typically includes looking at the eyelids, lashes, tear system, conjunctiva, sclera, and the alignment and movement of the eyes. It is commonly performed in routine eye checks, urgent visits for red eye or irritation, and trauma or infection evaluations. The goal is to quickly identify visible problems and guide what tests are needed next.

biomicroscopy is a close-up eye examination method that uses magnification and a focused beam of light. It is most commonly performed with a slit lamp in optometry and ophthalmology clinics. It helps clinicians view the front and, with special lenses, the back of the eye in detail. It is used for routine eye exams and for evaluating eye symptoms and eye disease.

A slit-lamp examination is a detailed eye exam done with a special microscope and a bright, narrow beam of light. It lets clinicians view the front parts of the eye in high detail and, with special lenses, the back of the eye as well. It is commonly used in optometry and ophthalmology clinics during routine eye checks and problem-focused visits. It helps document findings and guide next diagnostic steps.

social history is the part of a health history that describes a person’s daily life, habits, and environment. It helps clinicians understand exposures and behaviors that can affect eye health and vision. It is commonly used in ophthalmology, optometry, primary care, and preoperative evaluations.

family history is a record of health conditions and relevant traits that occur in a person’s biological relatives. In eye care, it helps clinicians understand inherited risk for certain eye diseases and vision problems. It is commonly collected during routine eye exams, specialty visits, and pre-surgical evaluations. It can include eye-specific conditions as well as systemic diseases that affect the eyes.

allergies are immune reactions to usually harmless substances such as pollen, dust mites, or animal dander. In eye care, allergies commonly refer to allergic conditions that affect the eyelids, conjunctiva, and tear film. They are frequently discussed in clinics because they can mimic dry eye and other causes of redness or irritation. allergies can also describe medication, contact lens, or environmental triggers that worsen ocular symptoms.

A medication list is a current record of everything a person takes to treat or prevent health conditions. It commonly includes prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, vitamins, and herbal supplements. In eye care, it also includes eye drops, ointments, injections, and contact-lens solutions used like medications. Clinics and hospitals use it during check-in, before procedures, and when treatment plans change.

medical history is a structured record of a person’s past and current health information. It includes medical conditions, surgeries, medications, allergies, and relevant lifestyle factors. In eye care, it is used during eye exams, urgent visits, and before procedures to support safe decisions. It is commonly documented in a clinic intake form and confirmed through a clinician interview.

ocular history is a structured record of a person’s past and current eye-related health information. It includes symptoms, diagnoses, surgeries, injuries, medications, and vision correction details. It is commonly collected in optometry and ophthalmology visits, emergency care, and pre-surgical assessments. It helps clinicians understand eye risks and interpret exam findings in context.

review of systems (ROS) is a structured set of questions about symptoms across body systems. It helps clinicians document what you feel now, not just what has been diagnosed in the past. It is commonly used during eye exams, medical visits, emergency care, and pre-surgical evaluations. In eye care, it helps connect general health symptoms to possible eye-related causes or risks.

history of present illness (HPI) is the structured story of a patient’s current symptoms and concerns. It explains what is happening now, when it started, and how it has changed over time. It is commonly used in medical notes in clinics, emergency departments, and hospitals, including eye care visits.

angle recession is a tear within the eye’s drainage angle that can occur after blunt eye injury. It is identified during an eye exam, most often with a test called gonioscopy. In plain terms, it means the eye’s internal “drain” area has been mechanically damaged. It matters because it can increase the long-term risk of glaucoma in some people.

peripheral anterior synechiae are abnormal adhesions between the outer edge of the iris and the eye’s drainage angle. In plain terms, the iris tissue “sticks” to structures where fluid normally exits the eye. This finding is most commonly discussed in glaucoma care and in the evaluation of narrow or closed angles. Clinicians use it as a descriptive diagnosis that helps explain risk to eye pressure and optic nerve health.