An instrument for examining the interior of the eye. There are two types. The direct ophthalmoscope enables a fine beam of light to be directed into the eye and at the same time allows the examiner to see the spot where the beam falls inside the eye. Examiner and subject are very close together. In the indirect ophthalmoscope an image of the inside of the eye is formed between the subject and the examiner; it is this image that the examiner sees. The examiner and subject are almost at arm’s length apart.