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Comparative Study
. 2009 Sep-Oct;57(5):381-4.
doi: 10.4103/0301-4738.55078.

Application of tele-ophthalmology in remote diagnosis and management of adnexal and orbital diseases

Malay Verma  1 , Rajiv Raman, Ravindra E Mohan
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Application of tele-ophthalmology in remote diagnosis and management of adnexal and orbital diseases

Malay Verma et al. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2009 Sep-Oct.

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the feasibility of making a diagnosis of adnexal and orbital diseases by Tele-ophthalmological means.

Materials and methods: Tele-consultation for eye diseases was done for 3497 patients from remote areas of Tamilnadu as part of the rural tele-ophthalmology project of a tertiary eye care hospital during a period of nine months from October 2004 to June 2005. These patients were comprehensively examined on-site by optometrists. Using digitized images sent by store and forward technique and videoconferencing, the ophthalmologist made a diagnosis and advised treatment.

Results: Adnexal or orbital diseases were detected in 101 out of 3497 patients (2.88%). Medical treatment was advised to 13 of 101 patients (12.8%). Surgery was advised in 62 of 101 patients (61.28%) whereas 18 of 101 patients (17.8%) required further investigations at a tertiary center.

Conclusion: It was feasible to apply the satellite based tele-ophthalmology set-up for making a presumptive diagnosis and planning further management of adnexal and orbital diseases based on live interaction and digital still images of the patients.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Set up of the rural tele-ophthalmology project. A: Mobile van with dish antenna for satellite connectivity. B: Optometrist screening patients in the rural camps. C: Ophthalmologist at base hospital having real time interaction with the patient. D: The ophthalmologist as seen at the rural end of the teleconferencing link
Figure 2
Figure 2
Images as visible to the ophthalmologist at the base hospital through store and forward technique. A: Basal cell carcinoma of the lower lid. B: Thyroid eye disease.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Age wise distribution of patients showing maximum number of patients in economically productive age group
Figure 4
Figure 4
Anatomical distribution of the adnexal and orbital diseases showing maximum involvement of eyelids
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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