Station 05 — Slit-Lamp and Anterior Segment Examination
Rapid Revision • Practical Skills • Viva
🎯 Candidate Task
You are provided with a slit-lamp biomicroscope and a cooperative patient. Demonstrate correct patient positioning and explain how you would systematically examine the anterior segment of the eye, identifying the important structures as you proceed.
⚡ Model Station Answer
- The slit lamp combines a focused adjustable light beam with binocular magnification to examine the eye in detail.
- I would position the patient’s chin firmly on the chin rest and forehead against the forehead rest, with the eye aligned to the instrument marker.
- I would adjust the eyepieces, illumination, magnification and focus before beginning the examination.
- I would examine systematically from anterior to posterior: lids and lashes, conjunctiva and sclera, cornea, anterior chamber, iris and pupil, then the lens.
- I would examine both eyes and state any abnormal anterior-segment findings.
🔎 How to Perform / Approach
- Prepare: Perform hand hygiene, introduce yourself, confirm the patient and obtain consent for slit-lamp examination.
- Recognize the instrument: Identify the binocular viewing microscope, illumination arm/light source, joystick, slit-beam controls, chin rest, forehead rest and table-height controls.
- Position the patient: Adjust the chair and table so the patient is comfortable; place the chin on the chin rest and forehead firmly against the headrest. Align the lateral canthus approximately with the instrument’s height marker.
- Set up the examiner: Adjust the eyepieces for a clear binocular view, select low magnification initially and position the illumination and viewing arms appropriately.
- Obtain focus: Ask the patient to look straight ahead. Use the joystick to centre the eye and move the microscope until the ocular structures come into sharp focus.
- Examine systematically: Begin with broad illumination for the lids, lashes, conjunctiva and sclera; then assess the cornea, anterior chamber, iris and pupil, narrowing the beam when depth or transparency needs closer assessment.
- Complete the examination: Inspect the lens as visible, compare both eyes, return the instrument to a safe position and report the important findings to the examiner.
🖼️ Visual Learning
Slit-Lamp Setup and Systematic Anterior Segment Examination

🎥 Practical Demonstration
Practical demonstration covering slit-lamp components, setup and a systematic anterior-segment examination; suitable for medical-student revision.
📝 Important Viva Questions
1. What is the basic purpose of a slit lamp?
Answer: It provides magnified binocular examination of the eye using an adjustable focused beam of light, allowing detailed assessment of anterior-segment structures.
2. What are the two principal functional parts of a slit lamp?
Answer: The illumination system produces the adjustable light beam, while the binocular viewing microscope provides magnified stereoscopic observation.
3. How should the patient’s head be positioned?
Answer: The chin rests firmly on the chin rest and the forehead against the forehead rest, with the eye positioned at the appropriate height marker.
4. Which anterior-segment structures should be examined systematically?
Answer: Examine the lids and lashes, conjunctiva and sclera, cornea, anterior chamber, iris and pupil, and then the lens.
5. Why is a narrow slit beam useful when examining the cornea and anterior chamber?
Answer: A narrow beam creates an optical section that helps assess depth and localize abnormalities within transparent anterior-segment structures.
