Comparative Evaluation of Smartphone-Based Fundus Imaging Systems in Dogs and Cats

To compare the feasibility, image quality, acquisition time, and evaluator preference of four smartphone-based fundus imaging (SBFI) systems in dogs and cats using a handheld fundus camera as a reference device.

Twenty client-owned animals, including 10 dogs and 10 cats.

Fundus images were obtained from 40 eyes (20 mydriatic and 20 non-mydriatic) using four SBFI systems (iExaminer Panoptic, NUN WFE-02S, OQVet, and VistaView) and a handheld infrared fundus camera (Aurora). Image acquisition success and acquisition time were recorded for each device. Image quality was independently graded using a 10-point Likert scale by a masked panel of 32 veterinary ophthalmologists. Evaluators also selected their preferred image among the four SBFI systems.

Image acquisition was successful in all animals for all devices under both mydriatic and non-mydriatic conditions (100%). Image quality differed significantly between devices. Among SBFI systems, OQVet achieved the highest median score (7; interquartile range [IQR] 6-8), followed by VistaView (6; IQR 5-8), NUN (5; IQR 4-7), and iExaminer (4; IQR 3-5). OQVet received approximately 50% of evaluator preference votes. The reference camera achieved the highest image quality in 77.5% of imaging sets but was outperformed by OQVet (15%) and VistaView (7.5%) in some examinations. Pupil dilation did not significantly influence image quality or acquisition time.

Smartphone-based fundus imaging enables reliable retinal imaging in dogs and cats and represents an accessible option for retinal documentation and screening in veterinary practice.