Abstract
Purpose :
Interest in smartphone fundoscopy has been growing unceasingly, with several devices developed. We presented last year a headband mounted holder for hands-free indirect funduscopy. Our purpose is to show the development of a Congenital Toxoplasmosis M-health (mobile telemedicine) network in Argentina.
Methods :
The helmet prototype was delivered to ophthalmologists in public hospitals in Argentina. The learning curve with this device is easy. We have worked in a smartphone network to spread the technique by M-learning, and also in presencial courses with wet lab eyes. Informed consent for retinal images registration is signed by family. In newborn babies with serology suspect of congenital toxoplasmosis, examination with retinal images capture was performed and shared with medical consultant team (ophthalmologist, Infactious diseases experts). Early treatment could be achieved this way, avoiding reference of babies in many cases. Follow up of the cases was performed with images and clinical reports.
Results :
Congenital Toxoplasmosis images registered by smartphone helmet prototype were taken. Evaluation of images and clinical data was performed in Base Hospital. Early treatment could be started through this network.
Conclusions :
The M-health Congenital Toxoplasmosis Network is now developing a protocole. The headband prototype allows peripheral images to be taken. This Telemedicina Network has been found very useful for newborn babies with retinal toxoplasmosis to start an early treatment. Validation work of the images and final protocole are still needed in this network.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2017 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Baltimore, MD, May 7-11, 2017.