What type of medical examination shows cotton wool spots and optic disc edema?

A fundoscopic examination is the correct choice for identifying cotton wool spots and optic disc edema. This type of examination allows direct visualization of the retina and optic disc through the pupil. Cotton wool spots, which are small, white patches on the retina, indicate areas of retinal ischemia, while optic disc edema indicates increased intracranial pressure or other pathological changes affecting the optic nerve.

During a fundoscopic examination, the clinician uses an ophthalmoscope to assess these features. The presence of optic disc edema can be indicative of conditions such as papilledema, which is often associated with conditions like intracranial hypertension or other diseases affecting the brain, while cotton wool spots are seen in various conditions, including hypertension and diabetes.

In contrast, a slit lamp examination focuses on the anterior segment of the eye and is primarily used to assess conditions affecting the cornea, lens, and anterior chamber, rather than the retina. CT scans of the brain can help assess for neurological conditions but do not provide direct views of the retinal structures. Ultrasound imaging is useful for examining soft tissues and can be used to evaluate certain eye conditions, but it is not the primary tool for assessing the changes typically visible in the retina, such as those seen through a fundoscopic examination.