The iPhone App Revolutionising The Way Your Eyes Are Tested
Many people say that once they'd bought an iPhone, they wondered how they ever coped without it. From social media, games, navigation tools and keeping up-to-date with news, the possibilities are endless when it comes to apps to download.
But it turns out that iPhone apps could be useful for medical professionals, too. Researchers from the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Hospital, Harvard Medical School have explored the feasibility of using a simple smartphone camera for retinal imaging. Retinal imaging is an essential part of an ophthalmologist's eye test to identify any problems with the patient's eye. Currently, the only cameras available to do this are called 'fundus' cameras, bulky, complicated cameras costing upwards of $10,000! Naturally, this makes them inaccessible for many small practices or poorer countries lacking funds.
At around $400, an iPhone would be an affordable alternative. But how does it compare?
The iPhone alone lacks the image quality needed for accurate retinal imaging but the app, 'Filmic Pro' offers users the chance to adjust settings while filming, such as exposure and lens focus, to provide clearer images without glare. The team found that the camera could work as an effective ophthalmoscope to gain clear images for analysis. Ophthalmology students have found the smartphone cameras easy to use and patients have even benefited from the lower light intensity for a more comfortable consultation.
Whilst an ophthalmologist reaching for his iPhone for a medical examination might be alarming, it could help to provide better eye care and diagnosis for many practices lacking the facilities for a full examination.
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