Portable Handheld Retinal Cameras
In the world of retinal imaging, the past years have brought major innovations, including the introduction of portable fundus cameras. Ranging from handheld camera devices to lenses that attach to smartphones, these new devices are making retinal screening increasingly accessible.
Prior to this technology, most fundus cameras were bulky and expensive, and in most cases required dilation of the patient’s pupils. For these reasons, retinal screening was largely unreachable outside of hospitals and ophthalmology clinics.
Handheld cameras, on the other hand, are affordable and easily transportable to patients in rural locations, enabling screening of high-risk patients from varying socioeconomic backgrounds across the globe. Portable screening devices majorly benefit the fight against an incoming blindness epidemic, especially as many diseases are treatable if detected during an early stage.
“Portable screening devices majorly benefit
the fight against an incoming blindness epidemic especially as many diseases are treatable if detected during an early stage ”
Why is access to retinal screening so important?
The retina is an examination window to blood vessels that can be viewed non-invasively in a way that no other body part can offer. In addition to the numerous retinal diseases that are discoverable through fundus photography, retinal images are now being used for the diagnosis and study of additional diseases like dementia and stroke. This discovery is absolutely critical so treatment can be pursued early-on.
