{
  "id": 7107440,
  "title": "Smartphones could be used to screen for cataracts and other eye problems",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/smartphones-could-be-used-to-screen-for-cataracts-and-other-eye",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-13T13:00:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Medical Xpress",
    "slug": "medical-xpress",
    "url": "https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-09-smartphones-screen-cataracts-eye-problems.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "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.",
  "key_points": [
    "Smartphones with low-cost attachment can screen eye problems like cataracts.",
    "Portable device costs less than £150, includes magnifying lens and LED lights.",
    "96% accuracy in cataract screening between remote ophthalmologists and in-person doctors in trials."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}