Screening of pediatric eye disease at home by using camera of mobile phone

Abstract

The simplest method of screening eye pathology in infant is red reflex examination. Present, absence or change of red reflex is key point in early detection of eye pathology. Objective – establish possibility using of mobile phone camera for eye pathology screening at home. Materials and methods. 750 children were included in research. Patient parents allowed photo their child before ophthalmology exam. First step was taking photo on parent’s mobile telephone in playing room from different distance and lighting. Second step was photo in exam room in mesopic condition in 1, 2 and 4 m distance with using maximum zoom and then ophthalmologic exam. After that, all photos was analysed by next signs: present or absence of red reflex, intensive of red reflex, present or absence pathology shadow, in case of red reflex changing, distance where changing is best viewed, comparison photo with result of ophthalmology exam. Results. After analysing photos all children was divided in three groups depending on red reflex chan-ging. In the first group red reflex was even without additional shadow, same in both eye. In this group after ophthalmology exam ametropy low level and eyelid pathology was diagnosed. In the second group red reflex was irregular by colour with additional light shadow or different intensity of red reflex in both eye. Ametropy high level was diagnosed in this group. In the third group we observed absence or colour change of red reflex. Cataract, congenital glaucoma, retinoblastoma, retinal and choroidal coloboma, Coats retinitis was diagnosed. Changing of red reflex possible to find on all photos from different distance, but the most informative was photo that was done from 1 m in mesopic condition. Conclusion. By equability and colour changing of red reflex on photo, all children may divided in three groups: 1 – children require only prophylactic ophthalmology exam, 2 – children require additional ophthalmology exam, 3 – children require immediate ophthalmology exam.

Keywords

• red reflex; congenital eye pathology; screening; blindness prophylaxis.