2017, Number 1
Smartphone documentation vs. eye fundus camera photographic documentation in diabetic patients
González-Madrigal PM, Arévalo-Simental DE, Cisneros-Gómez S, Roig-Melo EA
Full text
Language: Spanish
References: 8
Page: 46-50
PDF size: 815.18 Kb.
ABSTRACT
Introduction. Eye fundus photography technique using a smart telephone is simple and cheap. Diabetic retinopathy is affection with great prevalence in Mexico. Finding new detection, documentation and follow-up methods will have a significant impact to control this complication. The main objective of this study was to compare eye fundus images obtained from diabetic patients using a technique based on the use of smart phones with the use of eye fundus photography.Material and Methods. This is a comparative and prospective study with a blinded assessor at the moment of diagnosis. Patients with diabetes were included. Pictures from the eye fundus were taken during mydriasis using two different methods in each patient (smart phone and eye fundus camera). Clinical diagnosis was established with indirect ophthalmoscopy using slit lamp. A different evaluator (in aleatory order) determined the retinopathy degree in each image. We compared results obtained by image examination with those obtained from clinical diagnosis. The concordance index between slit lamp and each of the other documentation methods was calculated using Cohen Kappa coefficient.
Results. A total of 10 patients were included, 6 women and 4 men, a total of 10 eyes were examined. Median age ranged from 51 to 68 years. A total of 40 images (one image per eye using each technique) underwent aleatory examination by a blinded assessor. Concordance among slit lamp examination, smart phone and photography was present in three eyes. The concordance Kappa coefficient when comparing slit lamp with Visucam camera yielded 0.957 (confidence interval 0.649-1-00) and with smart phone 0.894 (confidence interval 0.460-0.934).
Conclusions. The presence of fine neovessels is less apparent in pictures obtained with smartphones. On the other hand, this is an excellent method to detect microhemorrhages, venous beading, microaneurysms, hard exudates and subhyaloid hemorrhages. Results of eye fundus photography with smart phones used to document the presence of diabetic retinopathy is comparable to those obtained with eye fundus camera. Fine neovessel documentation is more difficult using smart phones.
REFERENCES