Alleviating an Increasingly Burdened Healthcare System with Telemedicine: Anterior Segment

Tele-ophthalmology is a rapidly evolving and exciting field that has become increasingly relevant amidst the current global pandemic. With advancements in technology, many components of an evaluation previously possible only in an office setting are becoming possible remotely, paving the way for at-home visits. Examples of these technologies include measurement of visual acuity using smartphones, remote monitoring of intraocular pressure using self-administered tonometers or implantable sensors, and use of digitally acquired slit-lamp or smartphone images for diagnosis of anterior segment pathology. While many examples showcasing the utility of telemedicine have been shown for diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, concerted efforts are needed to develop similar technology for anterior segment diseases. As technology continues to advance, it may be possible to diagnose and manage more anterior segment disease with telemedicine.