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Dolar-Szczasny J, Barańska A, Rejdak R. Evaluating the Efficacy of Teleophthalmology in Delivering Ophthalmic Care to Underserved Populations: A Literature Review. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12093161. [PMID: 37176602 PMCID: PMC10179149 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12093161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Technological advancement has brought commendable changes in medicine, advancing diagnosis, treatment, and interventions. Telemedicine has been adopted by various subspecialties including ophthalmology. Over the years, teleophthalmology has been implemented in various countries, and continuous progress is being made in this area. In underserved populations, due to socioeconomic factors, there is little or no access to healthcare facilities, and people are at higher risk of eye diseases and vision impairment. Transportation is the major hurdle for these people in obtaining access to eye care in the main hospitals. There is a dire need for accessible eye care for such populations, and teleophthalmology is the ray of hope for providing eye care facilities to underserved people. Numerous studies have reported the advantages of teleophthalmology for rural populations such as being cost-effective, timesaving, reliable, efficient, and satisfactory for patients. Although it is being practiced in urban populations, for rural populations, its benefits amplify. However, there are certain obstacles as well, such as the cost of equipment, lack of steady electricity and internet supply in rural areas, and the attitude of people in certain regions toward acceptance of teleophthalmology. In this review, we have discussed in detail eye health in rural populations, teleophthalmology, and its effectiveness in rural populations of different countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Dolar-Szczasny
- Chair and Department of General and Pediatric Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-079 Lublin, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Barańska
- Department of Medical Informatics and Statistics with E-Learning Laboratory, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
| | - Robert Rejdak
- Chair and Department of General and Pediatric Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-079 Lublin, Poland
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Massie J, Block SS, Morjaria P. The Role of Optometry in the Delivery of Eye Care via Telehealth: A Systematic Literature Review. Telemed J E Health 2022; 28:1753-1763. [PMID: 35612473 PMCID: PMC9805855 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2021.0537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: Optometrists are increasingly adopting teleoptometry as an approach to delivering eye care. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created further opportunities for optometrists to utilize innovation in telehealth to deliver eye care to individuals who experience access barriers. A systematic literature review is presented detailing the evidence to support the use of teleoptometry. Methods: Databases of MEDLINE, Global Health, and Web of Science were searched, and articles were included if they reported any involvement of optometrists in the delivery of telehealth. Findings were reported according to the mode of telehealth used to deliver eye care, telehealth collaboration type, and the format and geographical areas where eye care via telehealth is being delivered. Results: Twenty-seven relevant studies were identified. Only 11 studies included the role of optometrists as a member of the telehealth team where the scope of practice extended beyond creating and receiving referrals, collecting clinical data at in-person services, and continuing in-person care following consultation with an ophthalmologist. Both synchronous and asynchronous telehealth services were commonly utilized. Optometrists were most commonly involved in ophthalmology-led telehealth collaborations (n = 19). Eight studies reported optometrists independently delivering primary eye care via telehealth, and commonly included videoconferencing. Conclusion: The application of teleoptometry to deliver eye care is rapidly emerging, and appears to be a viable adjunct to the delivery of in-person optometry services. The review highlighted the scarcity of evidence surrounding the clinical benefits, safety, and outcomes of teleoptometry. Further research is required in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Massie
- International Centre for Eye Health, Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,Address correspondence to: Jessica Massie, BVisSci/MOptom, MScPHEC, International Centre for Eye Health, Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | | | - Priya Morjaria
- International Centre for Eye Health, Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Khodaveisi T, Sadoughi F, Novin K, Hosseiniravandi M, Dehnad A. Development and evaluation of a teleoncology system for breast cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future Oncol 2022; 18:1437-1448. [PMID: 35129376 PMCID: PMC8842715 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2021-0822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The present study describes the steps of developing a hybrid teleoncology system to provide treatment plans for breast cancer patients. Materials & methods: This research was conducted in four stages, including developing a proposal for experts, identifying and analyzing system requirements, designing a prototype and implementing and evaluating the final version of the hybrid teleoncology system. Results: The results of the usability evaluation showed that the users evaluated the system at a good level and, in practice, the implemented system was perceived to be useful by specialists in providing treatment plans for cancer patients. Conclusion: The hybrid teleoncology system is a practical alternative to traditional methods for providing treatment plans to breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taleb Khodaveisi
- Department of Health Information Technology, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Farahnaz Sadoughi
- School of Health Management & Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kambiz Novin
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hosseiniravandi
- Department of Health Information Technology, School of Paramedical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran
| | - Afsaneh Dehnad
- Center for Educational Research in Medical Sciences (CERMS), School of Health Management & Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Jamison A, Diaper C, Drummond S, Tejwani D, Gregory ME, Cauchi P, Crofts K, Chadha V. Telemedicine in Oculoplastics: The Real-Life Application of Video Consultation Clinics. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg 2021; 37:S104-S108. [PMID: 33237666 DOI: 10.1097/iop.0000000000001852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Our oculoplastic service piloted a new video consultation (VC) clinic in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected to determine whether specific patients are better suited to VC, and to quantify the true benefit of VC in patients that successfully attended. METHODS Data were collected prospectively on predetermined data collection forms, including consultation duration, diagnosis, management plan, and issues that arose. RESULTS 37.8% of new referrals and 60.9% of return patients were vetted as suitable for VC. Of those invited to attend, 83.4% agreed to a VC appointment. Of the patients appointed to a VC clinic, 71.7% (new)/75% (return) successfully completed VC, 14.9%/15.8% attempted a VC which ultimately failed, and 13.4%/9.2% did not attend. VC successfully prevented face-to-face consultation in 81.3% of new cases and 91.1% of returns. Ectropion, entropion and dermatochalasis (new referrals), and postoperative follow-up (return patients) were well suited to VC, while patients with "watery eye" (new), and lid or conjunctival lesions (return), often required face-to-face consultation. Problems (most common issues with patients connecting to the consultation, video quality, and audio quality) were encountered during 50.3% of calls, although 82.6% of attempted calls were ultimately successful. Age was not associated with the proportion of calls that were successful. CONCLUSIONS VC is a useful tool for oculoplastic patients, irrespective of age, as long as the patient's notes/referrals are carefully vetted to determine suitability. Patients with ectropion, entropion and dermatochalasis, and postoperative reviews are better suited to VC than those with "watery eye," lid lesions, and conjunctival lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Jamison
- Tennent Institute of Ophthalmology, Gartnavel General Hospital
| | - Charles Diaper
- Ophthalmology Department, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital
| | | | - Deepak Tejwani
- Ophthalmology Department, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley, United Kingdom
| | | | - Paul Cauchi
- Tennent Institute of Ophthalmology, Gartnavel General Hospital
| | - Kevin Crofts
- Tennent Institute of Ophthalmology, Gartnavel General Hospital
| | - Vikas Chadha
- Tennent Institute of Ophthalmology, Gartnavel General Hospital
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Mansoor H, Khan SA, Afghani T, Assir MZ, Ali M, Khan WA. Utility of teleconsultation in accessing eye care in a developing country during COVID-19 pandemic. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0245343. [PMID: 33444381 PMCID: PMC7808582 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the utility of teleconsultation in the provision of eye care services during the COVID-19 lockdown. Disparities in the consultation burden of sub-specialities and socio-demographic differences in teleconsultation utilization were also assessed. METHODS Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital Rawalpindi began audio and video teleconsultation using broadband telecommunication services during the lockdown. Patients' and consultations' data gathered during the first three weeks after the commencement of this programme were compared with data from the four weeks prior to lockdown. The weekly consultation ratio and overall consultation burden of sub-specialities were measured. Chi-Square tests of association determined the relationship between different variables (socioeconomic status and consultation characteristics) and consultation modality (on-site vs online). RESULTS In total, 17507 on-site consultations (4377/week) were conducted compared to 1431 teleconsultations (477/week), which maintained 10.89% of the weekly pre-lockdown eye care services. The post-lockdown teleconsultation programme saw a relatively higher percentage of service utility among female (47.09% vs 44.71%), younger-age (31.33±19.45 vs 41.25±23.32 years) and higher-socioeconomic-status (32.21% vs 0.30%) patients compared to pre-lockdown on-site consultations. The most common indication for teleconsultation was red-eye (16.70%). While cornea and glaucoma clinics maintained most of the pre-lockdown services (30.42% and 29% respectively), the highest dropout was seen in optometric and vitreoretinal services supporting only 5.54% and 8.28% of pre-lockdown services, respectively. CONCLUSION Digital initiatives could partially maintain eye care services during the lockdown. Focused strategies to improve teleconsultation utilization are required during the pandemic and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Mansoor
- Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
- * E-mail: (WAK); (HM)
| | | | | | - Muhammad Zaman Assir
- Department of Medicine, Allama Iqbal Medical College, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Mahmood Ali
- Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Wajid Ali Khan
- Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
- * E-mail: (WAK); (HM)
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Required Data Elements and Requirements of a Teleoncology System to Provide Treatment Plans for Patients with Breast Cancer. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER MANAGEMENT 2020. [DOI: 10.5812/ijcm.100522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Background: Teleoncology refers to the use of telemedicine for remotely providing multiple specialized services in clinical oncology processes, including screening, diagnosis, treatment planning, consultation, supportive care, pathology, surgery, and follow-up services. Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify the required data elements and elicitation of requirements for developing a telemedicine system that aims at providing treatment plans for patients with breast cancer. Methods: In this study, the required data elements for the teleoncology system were identified through both the investigation of clinical guidelines and review of patients’ medical records. Identified data elements were determined by breast cancer specialists through the questionnaire. Besides, an interview method was applied to elicit the requirements of this system. Results: The identified data elements were categorized into 20 groups (e.g., clinical data, breast physical examinations, pathological results, tests, imaging results, etc.). From the 182 data elements included within the questionnaire, 125 were recognized to be necessary (n = 32, 100%). The lowest mean percentage were observed in magnesium blood test (Mg) (n = 21, 65.63%) and protein test (Pr) (n = 21, 65.63%). Other data elements with a minimum mean of 71.87% and a maximum mean of 100% were recognized necessary. In general, 2 major themes, 9 categories, and 45 related sub-categories were extracted from analyzing the findings of the interviews related to the system requirements. Conclusions: The findings of the present study can be used as a basis for developing teleoncology systems that aim at providing treatment plans for patients with breast cancer.
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Sharma M, Jain N, Ranganathan S, Sharma N, Honavar SG, Sharma N, Sachdev MS. Tele-ophthalmology: Need of the hour. Indian J Ophthalmol 2020; 68:1328-1338. [PMID: 32587158 PMCID: PMC7574128 DOI: 10.4103/ijo.ijo_1784_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Telemedicine and tele-ophthalmology have been in existence since many years, but have recently gained more importance in the present scenario of pandemic COVID-19. The attitude and perception of the doctors and patients has been changing gradually. Telemedicine has many advantages including providing care in inaccesible areas.In the present scenario, tele-ophthalmology gives an oppurtunity to patient for seeking consultation while also protecting against the contagion. There are many barriers faced by the patients and doctors that have restricted use of this technology in the past. However, with a systematic approach to designing the best suited technology, these barriers can be overcome and user friendly platforms can be created. Furthermore, the demand and use of teleconsulation had increased presently in this area of pandemic. Recent survey conducted by the All India Ophthalmological Society also reveals that many ophthalmologists who have not used tele-ophthalmology in the past are more keen to use it presently. In this article, we have reviewed telemedicine and tele-ophthalmology literature on Google and PubMed to get a holistic idea towards teleconsultation, its advantages, increased importance and prefrence during COVID-19 pandemic and various barriers faced so that the known challenges can be understood, which can pave way for better understanding and future incorporation into practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohita Sharma
- Chairperson and Chief Ophthalmologist, Department of Ophthalmology, Tirupati Eye Centre, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Neha Jain
- Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgeon, Department of Ophthalmology, Tirupati Eye Centre, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | | | - Naman Sharma
- Medical Superintendent, Manas Hospital, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Santosh G Honavar
- Editor, Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, Centre for Sight, Hyderabad, India
| | - Namrata Sharma
- Dr. RP Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Ophthalmic Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Mahipal S Sachdev
- Chairman and Medical Director, Centre for Sight Group of Eye Hospitals, President, All India Ophthalmological Society, India
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Alam MS, Amitava AK. The reliability of patient-reported mucoid reflux on nasolacrimal sac compression. Can J Ophthalmol 2019; 54:e76-e77. [PMID: 30975368 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcjo.2018.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Revised: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Md Shahid Alam
- Orbit Oculoplasty Reconstructive and Aesthetic Services, Aditya Birla Sankara Nethralya, Kolkata, India.
| | - A K Amitava
- Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Unit, Institute of Ophthalmology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
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Mohan A, Kaur N, Sharma V, Sen P, Jain E, Gajraj M. Ophthalmologists on Smartphones: Image-Based Teleconsultation. Br Ir Orthopt J 2019; 15:3-7. [PMID: 32999968 PMCID: PMC7510393 DOI: 10.22599/bioj.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Teleophthalmology has the potential to facilitate wider access to expert advice. It includes viewing of ophthalmic images by experts either on handheld devices like smartphones/tablets or office devices such as computer screens. However, to ensure rapid feedback, the turnaround time of any consultation must be kept to a minimum which requires use of handheld user-friendly devices. The purpose of this study was to assess whether images of different eye ailments viewed on smartphones and tablets are of comparable subjective quality as those viewed on a computer screen. Methods: This was a prospective study comparing the subjective quality of images on a smartphone, tablet and computer screen. Thirty images were analysed – 10 of extraocular morphology, 10 of the anterior segment pathology and 10 of retinal diseases. Ten ophthalmologists participated and were instructed to rate the overall quality of each image on a 7-point Likert scale (terrible-1, poor-2, average-3, fair-4, good-5, very good-6, excellent-7). Results: Overall smartphones were found to have higher ratings of subjective image quality (5.9 ± 0.48) than images displayed on tablets (5.13 ± 0.51) and computers (5.0 ± 0.37). The images were rated ‘good’ or ‘very good’ in all (100%) of the smartphone images. Fundus images and extraocular images were rated higher than anterior segment images on the smartphone. When comparing the two handheld devices with computers, both smartphones and tablets had similar image quality (p > 0.05, not significant) to computer images. However, for extraocular diseases, smartphone (6.1 ± 0.32) had significantly better image quality and images were easier to interpret compared to images on the computer (p < 0.05). Smartphones were rated ‘very good’ in 88.33% cases. All consultants (n = 10) were comfortable with the use of smartphone images and were already using it for teleconsultation at least three times in a month. Vision technicians reported minimum delay in getting advice when sending the images on mobile application to expert ophthalmologists. Conclusion: Smartphones can be used for teleconsultation. Subjective qualities of ophthalmic images on a smartphone are similar to those on tablets and computers. For rural communities that rely on teleconsultation, this small study provides useful evidence which may support the use of smartphones, tablets or computers for viewing ophthalmic images.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Mohan
- Department of pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus, Sadguru netra chikitsalaya and postgraduate institute of ophthalmology, Jankikund, Chitrakoot (MP), IN
| | - Navjot Kaur
- Global hospital institute of ophthalmology, Abu Road (Rajasthan), IN
| | - Vinod Sharma
- Global hospital institute of ophthalmology, Abu Road (Rajasthan), IN
| | - Pradhnya Sen
- Sadguru Netra chikitsalya and postgraduate institute of ophthalmology, Jankikund, Chitrakoot, IN
| | - Elesh Jain
- Sadguru Netra chikitsalya and postgraduate institute of ophthalmology, Jankikund, Chitrakoot, IN
| | - Manju Gajraj
- Department of ophthalmology, SMS Medical College, Jaipur, (Rajasthan), IN
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Schallhorn SC, Hannan SJ, Teenan D, Pelouskova M, Schallhorn JM. Informed consent in refractive surgery: in-person vs telemedicine approach. Clin Ophthalmol 2018; 12:2459-2470. [PMID: 30568424 PMCID: PMC6278698 DOI: 10.2147/opth.s183249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The aim of this study was to compare the quality of consent process in refractive surgery between patients who had a preoperative consent discussion with the surgeon using a telemedicine approach and those who had a face-to-face discussion. Methods Patients treated between January and December 2017 (8,184 laser vision correction [LVC] and 3,754 refractive lens exchange [RLE] patients) that attended day 1 and 1-month postoperative visit were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative consent preparation included a consultation with an optometrist, observation of an educational video, and written information. Patients then selected either a face-to-face appointment with their surgeon (in-clinic group) or a telemedicine appointment (remote group) for their consent discussion, according to their preference. Patient experience questionnaire and clinical data were included in a multivariate model to explore factors associated with consent quality. Results Prior to surgery, 80.1% of LVC and 47.9% of RLE patients selected remote consent. Of all LVC patients, 97.5% of in-clinic and 98.3% of remote patients responded that they were adequately consented for surgery (P=0.04). Similar percentages in the RLE group were 97.6% for in-clinic and 97.9% for remote patients (P=0.47). In a multivariate model, the major predictor of patient's satisfaction with the consent process was postoperative satisfaction with visual acuity, responsible for 80.4% of variance explained by the model. Other significant contributors were postoperative visual phenomena and dry eyes, difficulty with night driving, close-up and distance vision, postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity, change in corrected distance visual acuity, and satisfaction with the surgeon's approach. The type of consent (remote or in-clinic) had no impact on patient's perception of consent quality in the regression model. Conclusion The majority of patients opted for telemedicine-assisted consent. Those who chose it were equally satisfied as those who had a face-to-face meeting with their surgeon. Dissatisfaction with surgical outcome was the major factor affecting patient's perception of consent quality, regardless of the method of their consent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven C Schallhorn
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA, .,Optical Express, Glasgow, UK,.,Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA, USA,
| | | | | | | | - Julie M Schallhorn
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA, .,F.I. Proctor Foundation, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Mohammadpour M, Heidari Z, Mirghorbani M, Hashemi H. Smartphones, tele-ophthalmology, and VISION 2020. Int J Ophthalmol 2017; 10:1909-1918. [PMID: 29259912 PMCID: PMC5733521 DOI: 10.18240/ijo.2017.12.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Telemedicine is an emerging field in recent medical achievements with rapid development. The "smartphone" availability has increased in both developed and developing countries even among people in rural and remotes areas. Tele-based services can be used for screening ophthalmic diseases and also monitoring patients with known diseases. Electronic ophthalmologic records of the patients including captured images by smartphones from anterior and posterior segments of the eye will be evaluated by ophthalmologists, and if patients require further evaluations, they will be referred to experts in the relevant field. Eye diseases such as cataract, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinopathy of prematurity are the most common causes of blindness in many countries and beneficial use of teleophthalmology with smartphones will be a good way to achieve the aim of VISION 2020 all over the world. Numerous studies have shown that teleophthalmology is similar to the conventional eye care system in clinical outcomes and even provides more patient satisfaction as it saves time and cost. This review explains how teleophthalmology helps to improve patient outcomes through smartphones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehrdad Mohammadpour
- Farabi Eye Hospital, Ophthalmology Department and Eye Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1336616351, Iran
- Noor Ophthalmology Research Center, Noor Eye Hospital, Tehran 1968653111, Iran
| | - Zahra Heidari
- Noor Ophthalmology Research Center, Noor Eye Hospital, Tehran 1968653111, Iran
- Department of Rehabilitation Science, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari 4815733971, Iran
| | - Masoud Mirghorbani
- Farabi Eye Hospital, Ophthalmology Department and Eye Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1336616351, Iran
| | - Hassan Hashemi
- Noor Research Center for Ophthalmic Epidemiology, Noor Eye Hospital, Tehran 1968653111, Iran
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