Smartphones, Tele-Ophthalmology, and Vision 2020 Publisher



Mohammadpour M^{1, 2} ; Heidari Z^{2, 3} ; Mirghorbani M¹ ; Hashemi H⁴ Show Affiliations
Source: International Journal of Ophthalmology Published:2017

Abstract

● Telemedicine is an emerging field in recent medical achievements with rapid development. The “smartphone” availability has increased in both developed and developing countries even among people in rural and remotes areas. Telebased services can be used for screening ophthalmic diseases and also monitoring patients with known diseases. Electronic ophthalmologic records of the patients including captured images by smartphones from anterior and posterior segments of the eye will be evaluated by ophthalmologists, and if patients require further evaluations, they will be referred to experts in the relevant field. Eye diseases such as cataract, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinopathy of prematurity are the most common causes of blindness in many countries and beneficial use of teleophthalmology with smartphones will be a good way to achieve the aim of VISION 2020 all over the world. Numerous studies have shown that teleophthalmology is similar to the conventional eye care system in clinical outcomes and even provides more patient satisfaction as it saves time and cost. This review explains how teleophthalmology helps to improve patient outcomes through smartphones. © 2017, International Journal of Ophthalmology (c/o Editorial Office). All rights reserved.