Development of a mobile phone based ophthalmoscope for telemedicine

Regular retinal examinations can contribute to the management of both hypertensive and diabetic retinopathy. One of the most successful means of evaluating these retinopathies is by means of a fundus camera generating a fundus photograph. Patients in rural clinics unfortunately often lack the financial means to undergo regular examinations. This study produced a handheld ophthalmoscope that combines with a digital camera to capture retinal images. The images are transferred to a mobile phone and then sent to a central website for evaluation. The evaluation report is automatically returned to the mobile phone via SMS. The quality of the images was rated as acceptable for clinical use by medical specialists at the Department of Ophthalmology of the Health Sciences Faculty of Stellenbosch University, South Africa.