About Slit Lamps

Slit Lamps: An Overview

Today’s slit lamp is a two-part instrument that allows doctors to get a precisely lit, magnified, 3-D view of both the outer and inner eye so they can look for injuries, complications or signs of disease.

In fact, a more apt term would be “slit lamp instrument,” since the slit lamp itself is used along with a microscope made especially for use on the eye.

Use in Examinations

Often a routine part of an eye exam, a slit lamp is typically used to look at anterior (front) eye parts such as the cornea, lens, and iris, as well as the vitreous gel that makes up the eye’s interior. With the help of special lenses, doctors can also view posterior (back) eye parts such as the retina, optic nerve and the drainage angle, which is where fluid exits the eye.

Doctors may use slit lamps to check for:

Foreign objects
Cysts
Ulcers
Cataracts
Conjunctivitis
Iritis
Glaucoma
Macular degeneration
Indications of diabetes
Indications of rheumatoid arthritis

Depending on their objective, doctors may put one of three types of drops in the eye. Fluorescein is a yellow dye (introduced by drop or paper strip) that is used to detect corneal injuries, particles and abnormal tear production. Mydriatic drops dilate the pupil so doctors can get a better view of the inner eye. Lastly, numbing drops may be used in the case of foreign object removal or during tonometry (eye pressure check).

History

Modern slit lamps’ fundamental predecessor is the ophthalmoscope, which set the stage by first allowing doctors to view the inner eye. Invented in 1851 by Hermann von Helmholtz, the “eye mirror” (as it was then called) transformed optometry by enabling the diagnoses of eye conditions that had been previously undetectable.

Fast forward to 1891, when Hermann Rudolph Aubert improved upon Louis de Wecker’s 1889 monocular microscope by making it binocular. It didn’t take long for Siegfried Czapski to turn Aubert’s instrument into the first corneal surface microscope and, soon after, add an attached, movable light source.

Enter Allvar Gullstrand in 1911 with the first ever slit lamp, which was essentially a reflection-free ophthalmoscope. In 1916, physicist Otto Henker and ophthalmologist Alfred Vogt united Gullstrand’s slit lamp with Czapski’s corneal microscope and first “slit lamp instrument” was born.

Since then, there have been several redesigns and improvements, including joysticks, cameras, halogen lamps, wider configuration ranges and improved optics, making slit lamps one of the most familiar and crucial ophthalmological instruments in use today.

Veatch: State-of-the-Art Clinical Slit Lamps

01. Keeler 40H Slit Lamp

Elegant Design

Style and Substance: Keeler is known for exceptional design ability. We have combined classic beauty with modern technology, resulting in the perfect blend of style and substance.
Performance: Keeler 40H provides the functionality and performance you want, need and expect from a Slit Lamp, contained within a beautifully crafted, stylish case.
Ease of use: The controls are perfectly placed for ease of use, without compromising the clean and elegant lines of the product. Our design flair gives the product a sleek, beautiful profile.

Exceptional Optics

Market leaders: Keeler is renowned for market-leading optics and has been dedicated to optical design and manufacture for nearly 100 years.
Customer confidence: Our customers have absolute confidence in the quality, accuracy and reliability delivered by our optical designs.
Advanced manufacturing:Our advanced design and manufacturing techniques give the Keeler 40H the advantage of quite simply stunning optical performance.

Features

Keeler optics
British built
Stylish and contemporary design
x6 to x40 magnifications
Integrated yellow barrier filter
1mm Square aperture for Uveitis assessment
Halogen or LED illumination
Illumination control mounted next to joystick
3 year warranty

02. Reichert XCEL 255 Slit Lamp

The Reichert Xcel 255 Slit Lamp provides clarity and detail by utilizing high quality optics and user friendly operations. A meticulously assembled ergonomic design combined with the feather-touch XYZ joystick and convenient controls ensure comfort and ease of use. The outstanding optical performance, features, and quality, combined with an affordable price, make the Xcel 255 slit lamp a compelling value.

Features

Compact design
Wide-Field optics
Halogen lamp
10X, 16X, 25X magnification
Feather-touch XYZ joystick

03. ReSeeVit Elite LED Slit Lamp

The ReSeeVit elite slit lamp is the newest edition to the ReSeeVit line. No other slit lamp on the market offers all the features of this exceptional product. The unparalleled quality with the enhanced optical system makes this the best model for the discerning practitioner.

Features

Precise Optical Alignment
Increase Optical Transmission
Enhanced Depth of Field
Incredible Optical Resolution

Add the ReSeeVit elite Digital Imaging System to allow capture of clear, crisp digital images in the most ergonomic design system on the market.

04. Veatch 2V LED Slit Lamp

The 2V slit lamp is a traditional style slit lamp that is designed with a vertical illumination tower and has standard 10X and 16X magnification. Revolutionary design provides increased optical efficiency, light transmission, illumination and depth of focus.

The 2V Slit Lamp has been designed in Europe to our specifications. The 2V slit lamp delivers clear, precise ocular observation for the clinician. These slit lamps are an essential component for today’s modern office, providing value, ease of use and reliability. It features a tower illumination design with 2-magnification converging optics.

The 2V’s easy to position mechanism and pleasurable optics will enhance your slit lamp examinations.

OPTICAL BRILLIANCE

Utilizing the latest techniques in multi layered anti-reflective coatings, Veatch slit lamps deliver stunning optical quality allowing clear visualization and depth of field, right down to the smallest detail. Our optics are crafted to deliver a 20% increase in optical transmission and a 10% increase to the depth of field. Comfortable converging binoculars allow fusion of image to be achieved easily and maintained effortlessly.

MECHANICAL EXCELLENCE

Precision machining and European craftsmanship delivers silk smooth base movements for effortless positioning and fine detail work. Quality materials ensure longevity of performance and superior return on your investment. A base mounted rheostat to control slit illumination is standard for optimal ease of use. This convenient positioning allows effortless, yet precise control of slit illumination.

05. E200 Veatch Slit Lamp

The Veatch Ophthalmic E 200 slit lamp is designed to provide high quality service at an economical price. The popular vertical illumination column features controls in common locations to provide ease of use. The optical head is a converging style with a two step magnification changer. This model offers 16X and 25X magnifications.

Specs

Optic Head: Microscope
Type: Converging Stereoscope
Total Magnification: 16x, 25.6x with 16x eyepiece
Illumination
Slit Width: 0mm~9mm continuously adjustable
Slit Height: 1mm~8mm continuously adjustable
Aperture Diameter: : 9,8,5,3,2,0.2(mm)
Slit Angle: 0°~180°
Slit lnclination: 5°,10°,15°,20°
Filter: heat absorption,grey,redfree,cobalt blue illumination
Bulb: 12V30W halogen
Power supply: 110V/22V/±10V;50/60Hz,58VA

06. Haag-Streit BI 900 Slit Lamp, Unit Model

As the newest in the Haag-Streit series of quality slit lamps, the BI 900 contains an enhanced illumination system and improved microscope with Haag-Streit high-precision mechanics in a simple and reliable system.

The BI 900 has default magnifications of 10× and 16×, but can be extended to 25× and 40× magnification with an optional set of oculars. Additional contrast can be provided by a yellow barrier filter for flourescein application examinations. The diameter size of the ocular view has been increased to reduce fatigue during examination.

Can be purchased with the optional BI 900 imaging set.

Features

LED illumination for a sharp slit
Fixed or pivoting background illumination
14mm aperture size
Comes standard with a yellow contrast filter
New silver paint finish
Imaging ready

07. ReSeeVit 5Z Digital LED Slit Lamp

The ReSeeVit 5Z slit lamp is designed to for use with digital video imaging. This video-ready slit lamp offers the popular horizontal style light source. It is another addition to the ReSeeVit family of slit lamps that offers the best products on the market to capture clear, crisp digital images in the most ergonomic design.

Revolutionary Optical Design
20% Increase in optical efficiency
20% Increase in light transmission
17% Increase in illumination
10% Increase in depth of focus
5 magnification Galilean design

Our revolutionary optical design utilizes a system of multilayered antireflection treatment that ensures a more effective transmission of light thus giving an increase in both optic resolution and contrast of 20%. In addition these improvements increase light transmission by 20%, producing a 17% increase in illumination and a 10% increase in depth of field.

LED Light Source
14 mm slit aperture
Efficient optical system

Our LED illumination source and highly efficient optical system produces a clear brilliant image that is ideally suited for acquiring perfect digital images. The 14 mm aperture is standard and allows a wide range of flexibility for lighting various ocular conditions.

The illumination is controlled by a convenient rheostat located on the base of the slit lamp. This allow adjustment of the light without removing your hand from the joystick.

Joystick
Omni-directional control
Smooth precision movement
Integrated Digital Imaging capture button

Our omni-directional joystick controls both horizontal and vertical movement. The smooth fluid movements results in fast and precise adjustments. Incorporated in the joystick is a trigger switch to allow the capture of digital images.

08. E500 Veatch 5 Mag Model Slit Lamp

The Veatch Ophthalmic E 500 slit lamp is designed to provide high quality service at an economical price. The popular vertical illumination column features controls in common locations to provide ease of use. The optical head ia a Galilean style with a five step magnification changer. This model offers 6X, 10X, 16X, 25X and 40 X magnifications.

All common attachments available on the market are compatible with the E 500, including the popular ReSeeVit 4 D Digital Camera. A diffuser lens is a standard feature making the E 500 a Video ready slit lamp.

Specs

Optic Head: Microscope
Type: Parallel
Eyepiece:5x
Total Magnification: 6x; 10x; 16x; 25x; 40x
Diopter Adjustment: -5D~+3D
lllumination
Slit width: 0mm~9mm continuously adjustable
Slit Height: 1mm~8mm continuously adjustable
Aperture Diameter: 9,8,5,3,2,1, and 0.2(mm)
Slit Angle: 0°~180°
Slit lnclination: 5°,10°,15°,20°
Filter: heat absorption,grey,redfree,cobalt blue
lllumination Bulb: 12v30w halogen bulb
Fixation Bulb : red LED
Power Supply: 110V/220V±; 60/50Hz; 58VA

09. Haag-Streit BM 900 Table LED Slit Lamp

The Haag-Streit BM 900 slit lamp LED is now available with Haag-Streit LED illumination as an option to the original. Advantages of this new model include:

Specially designed light spectrum to guarantee best details in diagnosis from the cornea to the retina
Brightest and most homogeneous LED powered slit
Imaging ready all in one slit and background illumination
Ergonomic combined slit and background illumination control
Original Haag-Streit quality

Includes instrument table not pictured.

10. Haag-Streit BM 900 Unit LED Slit Lamp

The Haag-Streit BM 900 Unit model slit lamp LED is now available with Haag-Streit LED illumination as an option to the original. Advantages of this new model include:

Specially designed light spectrum to guarantee best details in diagnosis from the cornea to the retina .
Brightest and most homogeneous LED powered slit .
Imaging ready: all in one slit and background illumination .
Ergonomic: combined slit and background illumination control .
Original Haag-Streit quality.

11. Haag-Streit BP 900 Table LED Slit Lamp

The Haag-Streit BP 900 Slit Lamp unit model offers the latest LED illumination technology and a three magnifications and features LED slit illumination, combined slit and background illumination control.

Features

Specially designed light spectrum to guarantee best details in diagnosis from the cornea to the retina
Brightest and most homogeneous LED powered slit
Imaging ready – all in one slit and background illumination
Ergonomic – combined slit and background illumination control
Three magnifications and imaging capabilities.
Designed for routine practice, the BP 900® has a redesigned optical system.
Push button control of illumination located on the joystick
An optical beam splitter allows the attachment of the CM 900 Digital® Camera Module.
Magnification Changer: Change between 10, 16 and 25 X magnification by means of a simple control on the side of the microscope.
Beam Splitter: The optional beam splitter directs 70% of the reflected light from the image to the camera.
Joystick with Illumination Control: A push button on the top of the joystick, unique to the BP 900®, allows for the control of illumination levels

Instrument table included

12. Haag-Streit BP 900 Unit LED Slit Lamp

Features

Specially designed light spectrum to guarantee best details in diagnosis from the cornea to the retina
Brightest and most homogeneous LED powered slit
Imaging ready – all in one slit and background illumination
Ergonomic – combined slit and background illumination control
Three magnifications and imaging capabilities. Designed for routine practice, the BP 900® has a redesigned optical system.
Push button control of illumination located on the joystick
An optical beam splitter allows the attachment of the CM 900 Digital® Camera Module.

Magnification Changer:

Change between 10, 16 and 25 X magnification by means of a simple control on the side of the microscope.

Beam Splitter:

The optional beam splitter directs 70% of the reflected light from the image to the camera.
Joystick with Illumination Control:
A push button on the top of the joystick, unique to the BP 900®, allows for the control of illumination levels

13. Haag-Streit BQ 900 Table LED Slit Lamp

The Haag-Streit BQ 900 Slit Lamp LED table model adds the advanced technology of LED illumination. Due to its excellent optics, versatility and ease of operation, has become the standard for those requiring advanced slit lamp microscopy. A universal, modular system, the BQ offers simultaneous video and still photography through either professional or consumer level cameras.

A range of optional accessories include a teaching scope, inclined eyepiece and, for retinal specialist, the unique stereo variator. As with all Haag –Streit slit lamps, a Goldmann tonometer – the gold standard in IOP measurement – may be added to the system.

Features

Beam Splitter: The "key" to a wide range of accessories, the beam splitter diverts a portion of the light to secondary attachments such as the second observer tube, video, 35 mm or digital cameras. There are two ports which allow for simultaneous video / still photography or, alternatively, use of the second observer tube with either video or still cameras. The beam splitter may stay attached to the slit lamp as, by use of a simple lever, the full 100% light is sent back to the users eyepieces.

Inclined Eyepiece Adaptor: This simple but effective device allows the eyepieces to be inclined upwards by 20 degrees from their traditional horizontal position, thereby reducing neck strain in allowing a more natural viewing position to the user.

Zoom Objective: The magnification can be continuously changed from 6 up to 40 X. Reference points are set at magnifications 10, 16 and 25X.

Second Observer Tube: For teaching and assistants

Stereo Variator: Uniquely with the BQ 900 an optional stereo variator reduces the 13 degree angle to 4.5 degrees. Thus enlarged binocular field of view is possible even with myopia or through small pupils. This also aids the observation, without additional lenses, of the peripheral fundus and vitreous.

Convergent Stereo View: Offers a very large binocular field of view with high resolution and depth of focus. Eyepieces adjustable to all papillary distances allow for a fatigue free and relaxed examination, even during long examinations.

*Includes table not pictured

14. Haag-Streit BQ 900 Unit LED Slit Lamp

Features

Zoom Objective: The magnification can be continuously changed from 6 up to 40 X. Reference points are set at magnifications 10, 16 and 25X.

Second Observer Tube: For teaching and assistants

Veatch: Impeccable Products, Unmatched Service

Veatch is proud to offer state-of-the-art slit lamps of the highest quality and from only the best manufacturers. Brands like Keeler, Reichart, ReSeeVit, Haag-Streit and Veatch, itself, are all known for exceptional reliability, superb functionality, pinpoint accuracy and elegant design.

Veatch’s highly skilled, factory-trained technicians are available to professionally set up and recalibrate your instruments upon purchase and can also provide both local and remote support when your slit lamp or any of its components are in need of maintenance or repair. In some circumstances, we’re able to provide “loaners” while your equipment is being repaired, which may also be covered if your piece is still under warranty.

And don’t forget that Veatch also carries a full line of ophthalmic supplies and imaging solutions, as well as a comprehensive array of cutting edge ophthalmic equipment.

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