A smartphone-based tool for rapid, portable, and automated wide-field retinal imaging

Tyson N. Kim, Frank Myers, Clay Reber, P. J. Loury, Panagiota Loumou, Doug Webster, Chris Echanique, Patrick Li, Jose R. Davila, Robi N. Maamari, Neil A. Switz, Jeremy Keenan, Maria A. Woodward, Yannis M. Paulus, Todd Margolis, Daniel A. Fletcher

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

79 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: High-quality, wide-field retinal imaging is a valuable method for screening preventable, vision-threatening diseases of the retina. Smartphone-based retinal cameras hold promise for increasing access to retinal imaging, but variable image quality and restricted field of view can limit their utility. We developed and clinically tested a smartphone-based system that addresses these challenges with automation-assisted imaging. Methods: The system was designed to improve smartphone retinal imaging by combining automated fixation guidance, photomontage, and multicolored illumination with optimized optics, user-tested ergonomics, and touch-screen interface. System performance was evaluated from images of ophthalmic patients taken by nonophthalmic personnel. Two masked ophthalmologists evaluated images for abnormalities and disease severity. Results: The system automatically generated 100° retinal photomontages from five overlapping images in under 1 minute at full resolution (52.3 pixels per retinal degree) fully on-phone, revealing numerous retinal abnormalities. Feasibility of the system for diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening using the retinal photomontages was performed in 71 diabetics by masked graders. DR grade matched perfectly with dilated clinical examination in 55.1% of eyes and within 1 severity level for 85.2% of eyes. For referral-warranted DR, average sensitivity was 93.3% and specificity 56.8%. Conclusions: Automation-assisted imaging produced high-quality, wide-field retinal images that demonstrate the potential of smartphone-based retinal cameras to be used for retinal disease screening. Translational Relevance: Enhancement of smartphone-based retinal imaging through automation and software intelligence holds great promise for increasing the accessibility of retinal screening.

Original languageEnglish
Article number21
JournalTranslational Vision Science and Technology
Volume7
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2018

Keywords

  • Diabetic retinopathy
  • Ophthalmoscopy
  • Retinal imaging
  • Smartphone

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