Both the iTouch 5S (Apple,
Cupertino, California) and the
VersaCam (Nidek, Gamagori, Japan)
were used to take photos of the
eyes in multiple gazes. The iTouch
is equipped with a portable camera
(1,136 x 640 pixel resolution, 5.0
megapixels) and is otherwise similar
to other smartphone technologies.
The VersaCam is a portable ophthal-
mic camera that can take photos of
the anterior and posterior eye seg-
ments with separate attachments to
its base. Its pixel resolution is 1,920 x
1,080 (5.0 megapixels).
Led by Maria Woodward, MD,
assistant professor of ophthalmology
and visual sciences, University of
Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, Ann
Arbor, the researchers' prospective
study evaluated the diagnostic accu-
racy of corneal disease detection with
the use of external photos from two
portable cameras. All subjects were
adult patients at the University of
Michigan Kellogg Eye Center in the
cornea and comprehensive clinics.
Some of the 110 subjects in the study
had a clinical diagnosis of corneal pa-
thology, including corneal abrasions,
ulcers, scars, and pterygia. They had
been diagnosed by a corneal special-
ist who performed a slit lamp exam.
Not quite yet, study reports
W
ith the growth
of telemedi-
cine to detect
and monitor
diabetic reti-
nopathy—and the dearth of eye care
providers to see patients regularly—
it's only natural that ophthalmology
practices and departments would
look for ways to maximize telemedi-
cine for other areas of eye care.
However, use of portable camera
imaging to detect corneal disease
isn't quite ready for prime time,
according to the results of a recent
study.
1
Is telemedicine for
corneal diseases ready
for widespread use?
by Vanessa Caceres, Ophthalmology Business Contributing Writer
continued on page 26
March 2018 • Ophthalmology Business 25
