[A simple and rapid method for photographic documentation of findings using the slit lamp]

The objective photographic documentation and follow-up examination of changes in the eye's anterior segment is gaining importance as part of the daily practice. Until now, however, it has been linked with specially designed and expensive photographic equipment. A large number of ophthalmic units around the world do not have access to any form of photography. The advances in videographics do not offer an adequate alternative concerning both fineness of the grain and price per picture.

After installation of a new slit-lamp camera adapter, it was possible to produce color prints and slides. A 35-mm SLR camera with a spot-metering system, a clear view-finder focusing screen, highly sensitive slide film (ISO 640/29 degrees) and a standard 50 mm lens was used. No additional light sources or flashes were necessary in this camera-slit-lamp combination.

This system is suitable to take color photographs of good quality and makes ophthalmic photography readily available, particularly in circumstances where more sophisticated photographic equipment is not available. Because of the fast and easy installation and the additional use for gonioscopic or fundus photography this combination is profitable even for inexperienced photographers.