What is the primary use of an ophthalmoscope?

The primary use of an ophthalmoscope is to examine the interior structures of the eye. This tool allows healthcare providers to view the retina, optic disc, and blood vessels in the back of the eye, which are crucial for diagnosing various eye conditions and diseases. By directing light into the eye and magnifying the view with the lens, an ophthalmoscope helps identify issues like diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.

While measuring intraocular pressure is essential in ophthalmology, this is accomplished using different instruments, such as a tonometer. Testing visual acuity typically involves chart-based assessments or other specific tools designed to measure the sharpness of vision, and evaluating color blindness often uses methods like Ishihara plates, which are unrelated to the functional use of an ophthalmoscope. Therefore, the primary function of the ophthalmoscope clearly focuses on the examination of the internal structures of the eye.