New device for taking nine-directional ocular photographs: "9Gaze" application

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Imaging
• Digital Health

Background:

• Traditional methods for capturing nine-directional ocular photographs are time-consuming.
• Variability in examiner experience can impact the efficiency of ocular photography.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the time efficiency of the novel 9Gaze application against conventional methods for ocular photography.
• To evaluate the impact of examiner experience on photography time.

Main Methods:

• Nine-directional ocular photographs were taken using a digital camera, iPad, and iPod touch with the 9Gaze application.
• Participants included healthy adults and patients with strabismus or amblyopia.
• Orthoptists with varying years of experience performed the photography.

Main Results:

• The 9Gaze application on iPad (117.4 ± 17.8 sec) and iPod touch (76.3 ± 14.1 sec) significantly reduced photography time compared to a digital camera (515.5 ± 187.0 sec).
• Photography time with the digital camera varied significantly based on orthoptist experience (<1 year: 404.7 ± 150.8 sec vs. >1 year: 626.3 ± 154.2 sec).
• 9Gaze application usage eliminated the time difference associated with examiner experience.

Conclusions:

• The 9Gaze application offers a substantially faster method for producing nine-directional ocular photographs.
• 9Gaze application improves efficiency and standardizes ocular photography, irrespective of the examiner's experience level.