[Photography of anterior eye segment and fundus with smartphone]

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of anterior segment and fundus photography with a smartphone (iPhone 4S).

Method: Safety was evaluated by comparing the luminance of the light emitting diode (LED) of the iPhone 4S and of a binocular indirect ophthalmoscope. Efficacy was assessed by recording the ocular findings in patients. The anterior segment was photographed in 30 patients using a macro lens and a handy slit lamp as a light source, and the retinal image was captured in 60 patients using a fundus lens.

Result: The luminance of the iPhone LED was approximately 700,000 cd/m2, apparently lower than that of the ophthalmoscope, approximately 1,400,000 cd/m2. Clear images of the anterior segment were captured in all cases, and the fundus was clearly photographed in 58 of 60 cases. It was possible to watch the display and evaluate the real time images with other practitioners.

Conclusion: We could successfully record and share the images of the anterior segment and fundus recorded with a smartphone. The current method is useful for diagnosis, treatment, and education in ophthalmology.