Teleophthalmology Assessment of Diabetic Retinopathy Fundus Images: Smartphone Versus Standard Office Computer Workstation

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic capability of a smartphone handset compared with a standard office computer workstation for teleophthalmology fundus photo assessments of diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: Eligible, consenting participants' fundus images were acquired using a non-mydriatic camera. These images along with other medical data were transmitted 20 miles away through the Internet (gold standard) and also through an iPhone(®) (Apple, Cupertino, CA) to two ophthalmologists, who independently compared the images. RESULTS: The κ coefficient between the gold standard workstation display and iPhone images to detect retinopathy-related changes for both readers was more than 0.9. The image quality of the iPhone was scored high by the ophthalmologists. CONCLUSIONS: Ophthalmic images transmitted through both smartphone and Internet techniques match well with each other. Despite current limitations, smartphones could represent as a tool for fundus photo assessments of diabetic retinopathy. Further studies are needed to investigate the economic and clinical feasibility of smartphones in ophthalmology.