Ophthalmoscopy

Alternative names:

funduscopy

What the risks are:

The test itself involves no risk. The dilating eye drops could produce a rare instance of nausea, vomiting, dryness of the mouth, flushing, dizziness, or an attack of narrow-angle glaucoma. (If the latter is suspected, drops generally are not used.)

Special considerations:

Since it can detect the initial stages and early physiological effects of heart and blood vessel disease (particularly high blood pressure); brain disease; diabetes; and specific eye diseases, ophthalmoscopy (considered to be 90 to 95 percent accurate) is one of the most valuable tests.