Neelam Kaushik, Parmanand Sharma, Noriko Himori, Takuro Matsumoto, Takehiro Miya, Toru Nakazawa
Journal of Medical Imaging, Vol. 11, Issue 02, 026003, (April 2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JMI.11.2.026003
TOPICS: Eye, Portability, Cataracts, Diseases and disorders, Microscopes, Vacuum chambers, Medicine, Infrared radiation, Scanners, Photography
Purpose
Timely detection and treatment of visual impairments and age-related eye diseases are essential for maintaining a longer, healthier life. However, the shortage of appropriate medical equipment often impedes early detection. We have developed a portable self-imaging slit-light device utilizing NIR light and a scanning mirror. The objective of our study is to assess the accuracy and compare the performance of our device with conventional nonportable slit-lamp microscopes and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) for screening and remotely diagnosing eye diseases, such as cataracts and glaucoma, outside of an eye clinic.
Approach
The NIR light provides an advantage as measurements are nonmydriatic and less traumatic for patients. A cross-sectional study involving Japanese adults was conducted. Cataract evaluation was performed using photographs captured by the device. Van-Herick grading was assessed by the ratio of peripheral anterior chamber depth to peripheral corneal thickness, in addition to the iridocorneal angle using Image J software.
Results
The correlation coefficient between values obtained by AS-OCT, and our fabricated portable scanning slit-light device was notably high. The results indicate that our portable device is equally reliable as the conventional nonportable slit-lamp microscope and AS-OCT for screening and evaluating eye diseases.
Conclusions
Our fabricated device matches the functionality of the traditional slit lamp, offering a cost-effective and portable solution. Ideal for remote locations, healthcare facilities, or areas affected by disasters, our scanning slit-light device can provide easy access to initial eye examinations and supports digital eye healthcare initiatives.