Editing Slit lamp (section)

{{Short description|Device for examining the eye}}
{{more citations needed|date=June 2022}}
[[File:Spaltlampe-2.jpg|thumb|[[Eye examination]] with the aid of a slit lamp.]]
[[File:Retina Group slit lamp (side view).jpg|thumb|right|250px|Side view of a slit lamp machine.]]
[[File:Cataract in human eye.png|thumb|250px|[[Cataract]] in human eye: magnified view seen on examination with the slit lamp]]

In [[ophthalmology]] and [[optometry]], a '''slit lamp''' is an instrument consisting of a high-intensity light source that can be focused to shine a thin sheet of light into the eye.  It is used in conjunction with a [[biomicroscope]]. The lamp facilitates an examination of the [[anterior segment]] and [[posterior segment]] of the [[human eye]], which includes the [[eyelid]], [[sclera]], [[conjunctiva]], [[iris (anatomy)|iris]], natural [[crystalline lens]], and [[cornea]]. The binocular slit-lamp examination provides a [[stereoscopic]] magnified view of the eye structures in detail, enabling anatomical diagnoses to be made for a variety of eye conditions. A second, hand-held lens is used to examine the [[retina]].