Use of smartphone fundus camera photographs for screening of retinal pathologies in premature and newborn patients.

Abstract

Purpose : To evaluate the use and feasibility of smartphones fundus photographs in preterms and newborns screening for ROP and/or retinal disorders.

Methods : We performed a pilot study to evaluate the fundus in premature patients suspected of ROP and newborns with photographs of the fundus using the iPhone 6 camera coupled to a Volk inView device by neonatal intensive care staff and sended to Retina specialists for their evaluation and detection of probable cases which were examined more deeply through indirect ophthalmoscopy.

Results : Using photos of the fundus to assess such patients was possible to detect cases of ROP in premature and Purtscher's like retinopathy in newborns, also was possible to compare images over time to assess the development and / or progression of these diseases effectively and safely.

Conclusions : The use of the iPhone camera coupled to the Volk inView system is an easy, accessible, safe and effective way that can be used by technicians to screen for retinal diseases in premature and newborn patients.

This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2017 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Baltimore, MD, May 7-11, 2017.