Pupilla vs Eyesi simulators (Slit Lamp, Direct, Indirect, Surgical)
Quick answer
Eyesi simulators from Haag-Streit Simulation are dedicated virtual-reality devices for institutions: Eyesi Slit Lamp is built on the BQ 900 slit lamp with biomicroscope, fundoscopy and gonioscopy lenses and an optional SLT laser module; Eyesi Direct and Indirect train ophthalmoscopy; Eyesi Surgical trains cataract and vitreoretinal surgery. Pupilla does not simulate those instruments or surgery. It is a free website for everything a student can practise without the hardware — pupils and RAPD, strabismus and motility, retinoscopy, refraction optics, lensometry, OCT reading, the visual pathway and 3D anatomy — available anytime on any device, in English and Arabic.
Try Pupilla freeSide-by-side comparison
| Feature | Pupilla | Eyesi |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Website with interactive simulators | Physical VR training devices with real instrument hardware |
| Access | Free, any device, no account | Purchased by schools and hospitals; used on site; price not listed |
| Slit lamp examination | Not offered | Eyesi Slit Lamp — BQ 900 hardware, biomicroscope, fundoscopy and gonioscopy lenses |
| Direct / indirect ophthalmoscopy | Not offered | Eyesi Direct and Eyesi Indirect |
| Surgery and laser | Not offered | Eyesi Surgical (cataract, vitreoretinal); optional SLT laser module on the Slit Lamp |
| Pupils, strabismus and motility exam | Yes — virtual patient with 43 conditions, penlight, occluder and prisms | Not listed on these product pages |
| Retinoscopy, refraction, lensometry | Yes — three dedicated simulators | Not listed on these product pages |
| OCT and visual pathway | Yes — OCT reading and lesion-to-field-defect simulator | Not listed on these product pages |
| Assessment | Practice cases with feedback | Performance scores with required minimums; training reports for educators |
| Language | English and Arabic (full interface, guides and FAQ) | Not listed |
Choose Eyesi if…
- You need hands-on instrument skill — slit lamp, ophthalmoscope — or surgical training with real hardware.
- Your institution has the devices and wants tracked, scored training.
Choose Pupilla if…
- You want to practise at home, before and after sessions in a simulation lab.
- You are learning pupils, strabismus, motility, retinoscopy, optics, OCT or the visual pathway.
- Your school has no simulator budget, or you study in Arabic.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free alternative to Eyesi?
No website can replace hardware slit lamp, ophthalmoscopy or surgical simulators. For the examinations that do not need that hardware — pupils, cover tests, motility, retinoscopy and refraction — Pupilla is a free browser-based option: start with the simulator directory.
Can I practise eye examinations at home without a simulator lab?
Yes, for many skills. Pupilla lets you run the pupil, alignment and motility exam on a virtual patient and practise retinoscopy on any computer or phone.
Sources for this comparison
Other comparisons
- Pupilla vs the AAO Retinoscopy Simulator An honest comparison of Pupilla's streak retinoscopy simulator with the American Academy of Ophthalmology Retinoscopy Simulator: controls, test mode, working distance, trial lenses, language and when to use each.
- Pupilla vs mEyeSim Pupilla compared with mEyeSim, the mixed-reality ophthalmology app by A Nu Reality: platform, cost model, language, pupil/RAPD and motility practice, and which to choose.
- Pupilla vs EOM Sim Pupilla compared with EOM Sim from Western University of Health Sciences for learning extraocular muscles, cranial nerve palsies and eye movements: platform, access, features and language.
- Pupilla vs Complete Anatomy for eye anatomy Learning eye and orbit anatomy in 3D: Pupilla's free eye-specific 3D anatomy simulator compared with Complete Anatomy's paid whole-body platform — depth, cost, clinical links and language.
- Pupilla vs EyeWiki: reading vs practising EyeWiki and Pupilla do different jobs: EyeWiki is the AAO's free ophthalmology encyclopedia with well over a thousand articles; Pupilla is a free interactive simulator for practising the eye exam. How to use them together.
- Pupilla vs Geeky Medics for the eye OSCE Preparing for an eye examination OSCE: Geeky Medics' written OSCE guides and checklists compared with Pupilla's interactive virtual patient for practising pupils, cover tests, motility and visual fields.
- Pupilla vs Virtual Refractor Pupilla compared with Virtual Refractor from the Brien Holden Vision Institute: subjective vs objective refraction, retinoscopy, optics, lensometry, platform and language — and which to use for what.
For education and training only. Pupilla is not a medical device and must not be used for diagnosis or treatment decisions.