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Sclerotic Scatter Technique
PURPOSE To eva luate the cornea for areas of localized corneal edema. Sclerotic scatter is used primarily to observe corneal edema caused by firm contact lenses.
INDICATIONS
Sclerotic scatter is indicated in all rigid contact lens wearers. It should be performed immediately after the lenses have been removed, as corneal edema may dissipate quickly.
STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE
1. Adjust the slit beam to a narrow parallelepiped.
2. Push the microscope to one side so you are able to directly observe the cornea along the patient’s line of sight without looking through the oculars of the slit lamp.
3. Adjust the slit beam to a narrow parallelepiped, and set the illumination arm approximately 45°from the patient’s line of sight.
4. Focus the slit beam at the patient’s temporal limbus. When the beam is properly positioned, you will see a halo of light at the nasal limbus (see Figures 5-13 and 5-14).
5. Observe the patient’s cornea against the dark background of the pil, looking for haziness.
RECORDING
·The results of this procedure are listed in the slit lamp recording section under “cornea.” It is not necessary to indicate that sclerotic scatter was used.
·Record your observations for each eye separately.
·The haziness caused by localized edema is referred to as central circular clouding (CCC).It is usually graded on a scale of 1 to 4, or quantified as mild, moderate, or severe.
EXAMPLE
OD OS
no edema Cornea grade 1+ CCC |
