Ocular fundus examination with a direct ophthalmoscope has long been regarded as an essential clinical skill in medical education worldwide. The advantages are its relatively low cost, ease of portability and large 15× magnified view of the fundus. However, with the widespread use of binocular indirect ophthalmoscopes in specialist ophthalmic practices, the use of the direct ophthalmoscope is mostly limited to non-ophthalmic physicians to identify ophthalmic manifestations of vascular or neurological emergencies in emergency rooms, intensive care units and medical clinics [1]. For diabetic retinopathy screening in community general practices, the use of digital fundus photography since the 1990s, with its much more practical wide 45° field of view, has mostly supplanted examination by direct ophthalmoscope. Despite direct ophthalmoscopy still being taught in medical schools around the world, it is important to note the steep learning curve associated with its use. Often, when using the direct ophthalmoscope, medical students struggle to achieve a reasonable view of the fundus and thus are much less competent on picking up and interpreting salient signs of neurological or vascular emergencies [2]. Even with the introduction of new educational tools in the last decade, including simulators (Eyesi; VRmagic, Mannheim, Germany), there remains a general lack of confidence in direct ophthalmoscope use among non-ophthalmic physicians worldwide [3].