‘Photography in Ophthalmology’ is a highly specialized branch of medical imaging dedicated to the study and treatment of disorders of the eye. This broad-spectrum branch of photography takes on its true identity by use of specialized equipment aimed at documenting ocular parts such as the iris, cornea and retina. Teleophtahalmology specifically refers to eye care using digital media devices and telecommunications technology.
In a poster presented at the recently held American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) 2017 meeting in Los Angeles, California, USA, entitled Clinical photos for diagnosis, treatment and teleophthalmology, Dr. Clifford Terry of Terry Eye Institute in Fullerton, California, USA, highlighted why it’s imperative to incorporate clinical photography in every ophthalmic practice.
In addition to diagnosis and treatment, patient photographs are routinely used in presentations, documentation of surgical outcomes, as well as teaching. In the advent of technology that has touched every area of ophthalmology treatment options, taking high-quality images has become very simple, and there is no need to invest in expensive equipment or employ a professional photographer. In fact, any ophthalmologist can take clinical photographs in their office setting with minimal technical skill.
In 2011, the first clinical slit lamp adapter for iPhone made its debut, and brought with it the sophistication of high quality images, ease of use for ophthalmologists. In addition, it also had the advantage of portability, and could be brought into every exam room.
“Compared to slit lamp examination, which offers only a few degrees of field, this camera [slit lamp adapter for iPhone] allows the view of entire posterior pole. With the camera, photo documentation of the findings is feasible,” said Dr. Terry.
The fundus slit lamp camera for routine ophthalmology exams allows the clinician to photograph the retina while examining it. It has the benefits of being inexpensive and portable, plus it has provisions for image enhancement in cloudy media and light amplification for photophobic eyes. It’s also quick and easy to send photos to Electronic Health Records (EHRs) with the advancements in slit lamp and retinal cameras.
“Photo documentation enables clinicians to easily compare and track the progress of treatment plans and/or effectiveness of treatment modalities. This helps to document all retinal morphological findings,” Dr. Terry explained.
Over the past two decades, digital photography has been widely accepted in teleophthalmology for its significant advantages over conventional photography. In addition to the economic advantage of immediate visualization, the digital format of the pictures allows easy deletion of undesired or unneeded images, thus eliminating the costs of unnecessary prints – as was the case with traditional photography.
Dr. Terry also extolled the benefits of photo documentation in regard to patient communication. “It makes it easier for the clinician to explain diagnosis and treatment to the patient. Patients can also understand pictures better than the ophthalmic terms,” he shared.
Where digital photography in ophthalmology has made storage and editing of photographs easier, it has also facilitated the movement of these pictures to electronic medical records and provided the ability to upload the photographs with patient data.
The most common forms of storing digital images are JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) and TIFF (Tag Image File Format), and it is imperative for clinicians to backup copies of the photographs regularly on CD-ROMs or external hard disks, which are economical and readily available. These advancements allow ophthalmologists to not only offer high-resolution photography to patients, but to also create an organized and efficient approach to ophthalmology treatment practices.
Reference:
ASCRS 2017 Eposter #34482-0431:
Clinical Photos for Diagnosis, Treatment and Teleophthalmology by Dr. Clifford Terry, M.D., Terry Eye Institute, Fullerton, California, USA.
