Ophthalmologists on Smartphones: Image-Based Teleconsultation

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Imaging
• Telemedicine

Background:

• Teleophthalmology enables wider access to expert ophthalmic advice through image viewing on various devices.
• Handheld devices like smartphones and tablets offer potential for rapid feedback in teleconsultations.
• Assessing subjective image quality on different devices is crucial for efficient teleophthalmology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the subjective quality of ophthalmic images viewed on smartphones, tablets, and computer screens.
• To evaluate the suitability of handheld devices for teleophthalmology consultations.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study involving 10 ophthalmologists rating 30 ophthalmic images (extraocular, anterior segment, retinal) on a 7-point Likert scale.
• Images were displayed on smartphones, tablets, and computer screens for subjective quality assessment.
• Statistical analysis was performed to compare image quality ratings across devices.

Main Results:

• Smartphones received higher subjective image quality ratings (5.9) compared to tablets (5.13) and computers (5.0).
• Image quality on smartphones and tablets was comparable to computers (p > 0.05).
• Smartphone viewing of extraocular images was significantly better and easier to interpret than on computers (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• Smartphones are suitable for teleconsultation, offering subjective image quality comparable to tablets and computers.
• The findings support the use of smartphones and tablets for viewing ophthalmic images in teleophthalmology.
• This evidence is particularly relevant for rural communities relying on teleconsultation for eye care access.