Abstract
Purpose :
To demonstrate the safety and feasibility of a standardized, high-resolution external eye photography system in an ophthalmic outpatient clinic. To compare the imaging performance to state of the art slit-lamp photography.
Methods :
In a prospective controlled clinical trial, a first-in-human prototype of a novel external eye photography system (Occyo GmbH, Innsbruck, Austria) was used to capture ocular surface images from patients with various ocular surface diseases (OSD). Imaging performance was compared to slit-lamp photography using the IM-900 imaging module (Haag Streit, Köniz, CH) for overview photographs using diffuse illumination. A series of three images each was recorded under mesopic and photopic room light conditions for all cases with both systems. Outcome parameters for safety were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) test and contrast sensitivity (CST); and for feasibility were imaging duration, image quality (focus, lightness, dynamic range, and gaze position). Image quality parameters were analyzed in predetermined regions of interest (ROI) of the ocular surface as shown in Fig. 1A, 1B.
Results :
A total of 100 cases were enrolled. Imaged ocular surface pathologies included penetrating corneal grafts, pterygium, pinguecula, corneal foreign bodies, superficial punctate and microbial keratitis. Safety was confirmed by the absence of reported adverse events during the study period and by the absence of a significant decrease in BCVA or CST in either system (Fig. 1C). Clinical feasibility was confirmed by the absence of a significant difference in the duration of an imaging session between the two systems.
As for image quality and standardization, the prototype was capable of capturing high-resolution images of the entire visible ocular surface with significantly less gaze-dependent image decentration and lightness variability compared to slit-lamp photography (Fig. 1A, 1B, 1E, and 1F); and independence of room light conditions compared to slit lamp images. Similarly, focus, dynamic range and hue were superior to slit lamp photography.
Conclusions :
The tested external eye photography prototype was safe and superior to slit lamp photography in capturing standardized high-quality images for documentation of clinical features of OSD. The simplicity of use and speed of image acquisition makes it feasible for high-throughput clinical workflows.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.