Smartphones could be used to screen for cataracts and other eye problems
Researchers have found a high level of agreement between cataract referral decisions based on smartphone images reviewed remotely and those made by ophthalmologists examining patients in person at rural eye camps.
A new study suggests that smartphones could be used to screen for eye problems such as cataracts in remote, rural areas. Researchers from Aravind Eye Hospital in India found that a low-cost, portable attachment for Android phones could allow community health workers to capture diagnostic-quality eye images that can be reviewed remotely by ophthalmologists, potentially making door-to-door screening a reality.
The device, costing less than £150, includes a magnifying lens, LED lights and a silicone scope that maintains a consistent distance from the eye. In a trial involving 1,093 patients at 19 rural eye camps, diagnoses made by remote ophthalmologists and in-person doctors agreed in 96% of cases for cataract screening. The researchers believe this could significantly improve access to eye care in underserved communities, particularly in low-resource settings where specialist availability is limited.
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