Mobile infrared slit-light scanner for rapid eye disease screening

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Imaging
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Early detection of visual impairments and age-related eye diseases is crucial for long-term health.
• Limited access to medical equipment hinders timely diagnosis, especially outside clinical settings.
• Conventional slit-lamp microscopes and AS-OCT are effective but often nonportable.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a portable, self-imaging slit-light device using near-infrared (NIR) light.
• To assess the accuracy of the portable device compared to conventional slit-lamp microscopes and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT).
• To determine the device's efficacy in screening and remotely diagnosing eye diseases like cataracts and glaucoma.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted on Japanese adults.
• The portable device utilized NIR light and a scanning mirror for nonmydriatic imaging.
• Cataract evaluation and anterior chamber analysis (Van-Herick grading, iridocorneal angle) were performed using device-captured photographs and Image J software.

Main Results:

• High correlation coefficients were observed between the portable device and AS-OCT measurements.
• The portable device demonstrated comparable reliability to conventional slit-lamp microscopes and AS-OCT.
• The device effectively screened for eye diseases, including cataracts and glaucoma.

Conclusions:

• The fabricated portable scanning slit-light device is a reliable alternative to traditional slit lamps.
• It offers a cost-effective, portable solution for initial eye examinations, particularly in remote or underserved areas.
• The device supports digital eye healthcare initiatives and improves accessibility to eye care.