Utility of smartphone-based fundus camera device in a social outreach setting

Context: Fundus photography. Aim: To demonstrate the use of smartphone-based fundus camera device for detecting retinal pathology in social outreach camps. Settings and Design: Prospective comparative study. Subjects and Methods: Two investigators were recruited, one trained in conventional indirect ophthalmoscopy and the other in smartphone-based fundus photography. A smartphone and a 20D lens were used to record the fundus in video mode. Thirty-six patients having nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy were included in the study and examined by both the investigators. Clinical staging done by them on the basis of their individual photographs were compared. Statistical Analysis Used: Chi-square test. Results: Smartphone-based fundus photography was able to capture quality images of the retina. The investigators were able to deduce the same clinical staging for 33 out of 36 patients (P = 0.02). Conclusions: The images can be forwarded to the retina specialist via E-mail or digital messenger and opinion on management or referral can thus be sought. This will help bring specialized medical expertise to masses at remote places.