Basic Design of a Dermoscope

A dermoscope (dermatoscope) is a non-invasive, diagnostic tool which visualizes subtle clinical patterns of skin lesions and subsurface skin structures not normally visible to the unaided eye. It has also been called a skin surface microscope, epiluminescence microscope or episcope. Some dermoscopic patterns are observed consistently with certain diseases and these then could be used for their diagnosis. Hence, this office procedure may obviate the need for a skin biopsy for diagnosis and for follow-up. The facility of storage of images and the results being immediately available are added advantages. Basically, a dermoscope is functionally similar to a magnifying lens but with the added features of an inbuilt illuminating system, a higher magnification which can be adjusted, the ability to assess structures as deep as in the reticular dermis, and the ability to record images.