Fig. 1.
TECHNOLOGICAL UPDATES IN OPHTHALMOLOGY
FUKUMITSU MIYAMOTO H1, ROMERO DOMÍNGUEZ M1, PAIVA CORNEJO G1, MORENO GARCÍA B2
Ophthalmology
Service. Gregorio Marañón Hospital. Madrid.
1
Graduate in Medicine and Surgery.
2
Graduate in Medicine and Surgery. Oculoplastic Surgery Unit.
ABSTRACT
The ophthalmological specialty is in continual renewal due to technological developments applied for diagnostic as well as treatment of various types of pathologies. These developments require ophthalmologists to continuously update their instrument management knowledge.
For this reason we thought a subjective classification of what has already become part of our day to day activity, i.e., smartphone apps, in this case focused on our specialty, would be appropriate. Accordingly, we have developed a list with the best applications to use in our professional activity (1,2).
Keywords: Application, smartphone, telemedicine.
DESCRIPTION
1) Eye handbook
Developer: Cloud Nine Development LLC.
Freeware (fig. 1).
Fig. 1.
The Eye Handbook was developed in Missouri University in 2009 as a resident project.
Since then it has become the number one application for mobile telephones in
ophthalmology.
Its content comprises:
For all the above reasons, this application seems to be the best due to its usefulness in daily clinical practice (3).
2) OCT Browser
Developer: Hiroshi Ishikawa.
Freeware (fig. 2).
Fig. 2.
It enables patient OCT visualization in the mobile phone. The image conversion software is currently in development (4).
3) Skyscape Medical Resources
Developer: Skyscape.
Paid licensing (fig. 3).
Fig. 3.
This application comprises a large number of medical resources, including several text books and image databases, some of which are free. The most useful resource is the medications section (5).
4) Academy2Go
Developer: Cibavision.
Freeware (fig. 4).
Fig. 4.
It comprises courses and didactic videos on refractive surgery, focusing both on physicians and patients (6).
5) Ophthalmology i-pocketcards
Developer: Born Bruckmeier.
Paid licensing (fig. 5).
Fig. 5.
This app comprises tables with diagrams and classifications of the main ophthalmological diseases (7).
6) Cataract Mobile
Developer: Yu Xiang Kong.
Freeware (fig. 6).
Fig. 6.
This app facilitates an understanding of the basic principles that must be mastered in order to perform safe capsulorhexis. The phacoemulsification mode is the least useful app and the most difficult one to manage. It clearly seems to be an inoperative and useful app for cataract surgery beginners (8).
7) Ophthalmology SE
Developer: USmau02.
Paid licensing (fig. 7).
Fig. 7.
Ophthalmological encyclopedia comprising the history of ophthalmology and introductions to subjects such as optics, pediatric ophthalmology, intraocular lenses and contact lenses among many other subjects. The basic topics are explained in simple and clear text and will prove highly useful for physicians who are taking their first steps in ophthalmology (9).
8) Sight selector
Developer: Patient education concepts.
Free download although courses are paid (fig. 8).
Fig. 8.
Its free version includes a 3-D video of eye anatomy. In addition, users can purchase 50 topics focused on the most current techniques and lenses for correcting refractive problems. We recommend it due to the quality of its images and its updates on refractive surgery (10).
9) Eyetube
Developer: Bryn Mawr Communications.
Paid Licensing (fig. 9).
Fig. 9.
This app enables access to online digital videos by subspecialties and in an easy to use format (11).
10) Animated Pocket Dictionary of Ophthalmology
Developer: Expanded Apps. Inc.
Freeware, paid licensing for complete version (fig. 10).
Fig. 10.
An English language ophthalmological dictionary which includes anatomical concepts, surgical procedures, etc. in addition, each definition is explained with animated videos (12).
11) EyePatientsMobileFree
Developer: Yu Xiang Kong.
Freeware (fig. 11).
Fig. 11.
This app enables the storage of patient data, risk factors and clinical evolution in each assessment.
The format is not very user-friendly but it can be helpful when improving order in the practice (13).
There are many more applications for smartphones such as
Eyephoto Bill, Mini-atlas DMAE, Retina Atlas, iEye Retina, External Eye Exam, EyeAlmanac, Algorith for Management of Diabetic Macular Edema, LRI Calc, Sense what u
see?, Cuidado de tu salud visual, EyeRoutemobile, Lupa free, FasAcuity, iExaminer, eyePatiensMobileFree, ODwire.org and many more (2).
CONCLUSION
The use of smartphones has brought about a revolution in all areas including medicine, as they enable interprofessional communication and enhance the efficiency of our daily clinical practice.
REFERENCES