Augenuntersuchung beim Vogel

Ophthalmological examining of the eye is in birds is - to a much
greater extent than in mammals - an integral part of a general
examination, since ocular disorder in birds frequently demonstrate
ocular manifestions of systemic diseases. During the last 15 years
various componds of a systematic ophthalmological examination
routine (including the appropriate reference ranges for standard
examination techniques like tonometry, Schirmer’s test and
electroretinography, among others) have been established. This work
presently summarizes all the standard techniques and for the first
time presents them concisely and as parts of a defined and
harmonized examination procedure. With the help of a multimedia
environment, this work intends to provide students, veterinary
surgeons as well as human and mammal ophthalmologists with a
practical overview of the currently valid standard of the
ophthalmological examination of birds and summarize the basic
knowledge necessary to assess the disease situation. This goal was
achieved by using the multimedia authoring program Director MX by
Macromedia, which makes possible the preparation of complex and
interactive multimedia applications as well as so-called kiosks and
includes the object-oriented scripting languages Lingo and Java
Script. Director MX provides the tools, with which the surface and
masks of this CD-ROM were created according to specifically
designed concepts and set learning objectives. The inclusion of the
scripting languages Lingo and Java Script made it also possible to
create links and include automatic film sequences that give a vivid
picture of the contents and enhance intuitive understanding. The
various links provide the user with the opportunity either to work
through the CD systematically or individually with the help of the
index. So both beginners and advanced students or scholars and
professionals may use this CD and access its contents according to
their specific needs. The CD „Examining avian eye diseases“ offers
the user a multimedia learning environment with the help of which
the correct and systematic ophthalmological examination procedure
of birds may be studied. Additional material accompanying the CD
includes both fixed images and video sequences created specifically
for this project as well as a comprehensive bibliography. The major
part of the learning program deals with the ophthalmological
examination of pet birds, zoo animals, wildfowl and all kinds of
farming poultry. For this purpose, a standardized examination
procedure with a step-by-step method for the front segment of the
eye was established. For the first time the CD-ROM presents the
complete examination procedure fully adapted to bird-specific
requirements and visually presentsed by means of interactive media
and with the inclusion of all the general and bird-specific
examination techniques (Schirmer’s test, tonometry, gonioscopy,
electroretinography and ophthalmoscopy). Besides, a documentation
sheet was modified for easier follow-up documentation. The
procedure suggested here is based on the modified examination
method for birds by KORBEL (1994). By also including video
sequences of the back section of the eye for the first time, the
entire representation becomes more vivid and realistic. A
comparison of clinically relevant ophthalmological aspects of
mammals with birds and reptiles forms the basis for an expansion of
postgraduate education programs that hitherto were focused solely
on mammals. In addition, the user has access to comprehensive
knowledge on the anatomy and general properties of birds and is
informed of general examination methods, fixation or injection
techniques, and anesthesia and analgesia, without which a correct
ornitho-ophthalmological examination were impossible. Multimedia
learning programs are an attractive alternative for further
education. With the help of interactive media, information may be
spread conveniently and flexibly in the course of student or
postgraduate education, within the national frameworks of
veterinary associations or for international ophthalmological
residency programs like the European College of Veterinary
Ophthalmology. Since e-learning, the use of interactive media for
all kinds of study and education purposes, will be indispensable in
the future, this CD delivers an important contribution to the
ophthalmology of birds.