Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 13, 2025
Subjective Refraction Test Using a Smartphone for Vision Screening
Published on: October 18, 2024
Telemedicine for screening eye disease in the remote Peruvian Amazon: proof-of-concept
John M Nesemann1,2,3, Marleny Muñoz4, Sandra L Talero5
1Francis I Proctor Foundation, University of California, San Francisco 94158, USA.
Background:
Improvements in technology could facilitate task-shifting and ocular disease screening in rural areas.
Methods:
Visual acuity (VA) was tested using a Ministry of Health 3-m VA card. Anterior segment photographs were taken using a three-dimensional printed cellphone attachment and remotely graded.
Results:
Of 326 photographed eyes, 1 was ungradable. Of 123 eyes with non-refractive visual impairment, cataract was identified in 35.8%, pterygium in 41.5%, corneal opacity in 5.7% and phthisis in 2.4%.
Conclusions:
While the cause of visual impairment cannot be determined without a posterior segment examination, the smartphone attachment proved to be easy to use by non-specialist workers and identified anterior segment pathology in most cases.
