Bailey Shen

Background: Currently available binocular indirect ophthalmoscopes (BIOs) are large and expensive. We sought to create a compact, low‐cost 3D‐printed BIO. Methods: The BIO was made with off‐the‐shelf electronics and optical components, computer‐aided design (CAD), and a consumer‐grade 3D printer. Ocular light safety was tested with a spectrometer. Results: The component cost of the 3D‐printed BIO was $182.26. The wireless, spectacle‐style BIO weighed 120 g and was more compact than commercially available BIO’s, with the advantage of a battery incorporated into the frame. The BIO met the International Organization for Standardization’s standards for indirect ophthalmoscopes, as well as the American National Standards Institute’s Group 1 light hazard protection standards for ophthalmic instruments. Conclusions: It is possible to produce a high‐quality, low‐cost BIO using CAD and 3D printing. Such a BIO may be useful in both resource‐rich and resource‐limited settings.

It has been hypothesised that non-arteritic ischaemic optic neuropathy is caused by vitreous traction on the optic nerve. The authors recently took care of a patient who developed a posterior vitreous detachment shortly after she was diagnosed with non-arteritic ischaemic optic neuropathy. Her visual field spontaneously improved after the posterior vitreous detachment. This case report provides some evidence that non-arteritic ischaemic optic neuropathy, vitreous traction, and posterior vitreous detachment may be related.