[Smartphone-based fundus imaging: applications and adapters]

[Digital remote monitoring of chronic retinal conditions-A clinical future tool? : Remote monitoring of chronic retinal conditions]

BACKGROUND

In view of the predicted increase in incidence and prevalence of chronic retinal diseases and undersupply of care in the population, telemedicine could contribute to reducing access barriers to healthcare and improving the results of treatment.

OBJECTIVE

A literature review on remote monitoring of chronic retinal diseases was carried out.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The medical literature was searched for publications on remote monitoring of chronic retinal diseases. The results were compiled in a narrative overview.

RESULTS

The four main topics in the literature are: validation studies, implementation strategies, acceptance/target group analyses and health economic analyses. Remote monitoring systems are based on visual function tests, imaging or patient reports and have been particularly investigated in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic eye disease (DED). Studies indicate positive effects regarding an optimization of clinical care and a favorable safety profile but randomized controlled trials are lacking for the majority of monitoring tools.

CONCLUSION

Remote monitoring could complement existing care structures for patients with chronic retinal diseases, especially AMD and DED. Promising systems are based on hyperacuity or optical coherence tomography, while patient-reported data are not commonly used; however, there is currently insufficient evidence justifying the use of remote monitoring systems in chronic retinal diseases in Europe and more research on the validation of remote monitoring systems is needed.

Clinical Applications and Future Directions of Smartphone Fundus Imaging

The advent of smartphone fundus imaging technology has marked a significant evolution in the field of ophthalmology, offering a novel approach to the diagnosis and management of retinopathy. This review provides an overview of smartphone fundus imaging, including clinical applications, advantages, limitations, clinical applications, and future directions. The traditional fundus imaging techniques are limited by their cost, portability, and accessibility, particularly in resource-limited settings. Smartphone fundus imaging emerges as a cost-effective, portable, and accessible alternative. This technology facilitates the early detection and monitoring of various retinal pathologies, including diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and retinal vascular disorders, thereby democratizing access to essential diagnostic services. Despite its advantages, smartphone fundus imaging faces challenges in image quality, standardization, regulatory considerations, and medicolegal issues. By addressing these limitations, this review highlights the areas for future research and development to fully harness the potential of smartphone fundus imaging in enhancing patient care and visual outcomes. The integration of this technology into telemedicine is also discussed, underscoring its role in facilitating remote patient care and collaborative care among physicians. Through this review, we aim to contribute to the understanding and advancement of smartphone fundus imaging as a valuable tool in ophthalmic practice, paving the way for its broader adoption and integration into medical diagnostics.

[Global ophthalmology : Update]

The aim of global ophthalmology is to maximize vision, ocular health and functional ability, thereby contributing to overall health and well-being, social inclusion and quality of life of every individual worldwide. Currently, an estimated 1.1 billion people live with visual impairment, 90% of which can be prevented or cured through largely cost-effective interventions. At the same time, 90% of people affected live in regions with insufficient eye health coverage. This challenge drove the World Health Organization (WHO) and a group of nongovernmental organizations to launch "VISION 2020: the Right to Sight", a global campaign which recently concluded after 20 years. The achievements, challenges and lessons learned were identified and incorporated into the current campaign "2030 IN SIGHT".

[Technical and optical aspects of smartphone-based fundus photography : Possibilities and limitations in practice]

BACKGROUND

Smartphone-based adapters for fundus photography offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional fundus cameras. The various offers vary widely in design, size, purchasing costs, user-friendliness, and image quality when compared to each other and to traditional fundus cameras.

OBJECTIVE

The aim is to enable the reader to understand the technical and optical aspects of fundus photography and therefore to evaluate the various offers of traditional fundus cameras and adaptors for smartphone-based fundus photography with respect to their personal requirements.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The technical and optical principles and aspects of fundus photography are explained and the various approaches to illumination, imaging, image capture and alignment are discussed. The association between field of view, pupil size, mydriasis and image quality are discussed as well as the challenges and difficulties of aligning the fundus camera relative to the patient's eye.

RESULTS

The most important technical aspects of a fundus camera are the avoidance of disturbing reflections when taking photographs, an acceptable field of view angle, the user-friendliness during alignment, success rate of imaging and the question whether mydriasis is necessary.

CONCLUSION

The development of adapters for smartphone-based fundus photography has resulted in interesting offers, which make fundus photography available to a wider user spectrum at low purchase costs. The offers on the market vary widely. It is therefore difficult to reach a definitive evaluation; however, smartphone-based adapters mostly have limitations with respect to user-friendliness, the size of the field of view and image quality.