The eyelids and lashes
The lid margins, the lashes, and the openings of the oil glands along the lids.
Slit Lamp Examination
A magnified look at the front of the eye. A microscope with a narrow beam of light, used in most eye examinations. Nothing touches the eye.
- Senior Consultant Eye Surgeons
- 50+ combined years in ophthalmology
- Seven clinics in six locations islandwide
Camden (Orchard)Joo ChiatClementiBedokToa PayohJurong
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What a slit lamp examination is
A slit lamp is a microscope with a bright light that can be narrowed to a thin slit. It gives a magnified view of the front of the eye, layer by layer.
You may also see it called a slit lamp exam, a slit lamp test, a slit lamp eye test or biomicroscopy. They all mean this one examination.
What a slit lamp examination looks at
The front of the eye, from the lids to the lens.
The white of the eye
The conjunctiva, the thin clear layer over the white of the eye and inside the lids.
The cornea
The clear window at the front of the eye, checked for scratches, scarring and dryness.
The tear film
The thin layer of tears over the cornea, and how long it lasts between blinks.
The iris and pupil
The coloured ring, the pupil at its centre, and the space in front of them.
The lens
The lens behind the pupil, where a cataract forms.
With an extra hand-held lens, and often drops to widen the pupil, the same microscope also gives a view of the retina and the optic nerve at the back of the eye.
It is how the lens is looked at for a cataract. What any finding means is for your eye doctor to explain.
How a slit lamp examination is done
A few minutes, sitting down.
- You sit at the microscope and rest your chin and forehead against a frame.
- The room lights are dimmed and a bright, narrow beam is shone into the eye.
- You look where you are asked — ahead, up, down or to the side — so each part comes into view.
- The other eye is done the same way. The microscope does not touch the eye.
The light is bright but does not hurt. Unless drops were used, you can read and drive as usual afterwards.
When drops are added
Not every examination needs them.
- A fluorescein stain. A drop of orange dye, looked at under a blue light. It settles where the surface of the cornea is scratched or dry, so those areas can be seen.
- Drops to widen the pupil. Used when the back of the eye needs a view. They take 15 to 30 minutes to work and blur near vision for several hours, so arrange not to drive.
The stain and other front-of-eye tests are on the common eye tests page.
Something bothering your eyes? Tell our friendly staff what you have noticed and they will arrange the right appointment.
Slit Lamp Examination Cost in Singapore
A slit lamp examination is part of an eye consultation, and of all four of our eye screening packages.
| Screening package | Price |
|---|---|
| Community cataract screening | $29 |
| General eye screening | $99 |
| Diabetic retinal screening | $99 |
| Comprehensive eye screening | $249 |
Prices shown are for our community clinics at Bedok, Clementi, Toa Payoh and Jurong. All fees shown are nett, and each figure is the price of the whole screening package.
The screening packages are senior optometrist-led and every report is reviewed by an ophthalmologist.
Common questions
What is a slit lamp exam?
An examination of the eye through a slit lamp: a microscope with a bright light that can be narrowed to a thin slit. It gives a magnified view of the eyelids, the cornea, the iris and the lens. It is also called a slit lamp test, a slit lamp eye test or biomicroscopy.
What does a slit lamp exam show?
The front of the eye in magnified detail: the lids and lashes, the white of the eye, the cornea, the tear film, the iris and the lens. With an extra hand-held lens, and often drops to widen the pupil, it also gives a view of the retina and the optic nerve at the back of the eye.
Does a slit lamp examination hurt?
No. You rest your chin and forehead against a frame and the light is bright, but the microscope does not touch the eye. If a drop is used, it may sting for a moment.
How long does a slit lamp examination take?
A few minutes for both eyes. If drops to widen the pupil are needed, allow 15 to 30 minutes for them to work.
Is a slit lamp examination the same as an eye test?
It is one part of an eye examination. The letter chart checks how well you see; the slit lamp looks at the health of the front of the eye. Most eye examinations include both.
Can I drive after a slit lamp examination?
Yes, if no drops were used to widen your pupils. If they were, near vision is blurred and bright light is uncomfortable for several hours, so arrange not to drive.
How much is a slit lamp examination?
No price is published for a slit lamp examination on its own. It is part of all four of our eye screening packages, from $29 nett at our community clinics in Bedok, Clementi, Toa Payoh and Jurong, and part of an eye consultation.
Book an eye examination
Send us a message with what you have noticed and a time that suits, and our staff will arrange the appointment.
