Teleophthalmology is becoming more of a reality through the use of smartphones. Recently it has been tested in the screening and monitoring of macular degeneration. Researchers at Stanford University developed two devices that can be used with a smartphone to evaluate and capture images of the anterior segment of the eye as well as the fundus.
The Portable Eye Examination Kit (PEEK) is another device that connects to the camera on a smartphone to facilitate retinal examinations; it can also be used to help identify glaucoma and cataracts. Images can be captured and saved for further evaluation and to track progression. By decreasing the reliance on expensive, in-office equipment, access to routine eye examinations can be within the reach of those who need it most—something important to consider when 39 million people are blind throughout the world, and 80% of that visual impairment can…
