Use of the Smart Phone as a Diagnostic Interface for Detecting Severe Retinopathy of Prematurity: A Pilot Study

447 Dear Editor, We would like to report a pilot study to establish the use of smart phone as a diagnostic tool for detecting severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) compared to digital wide‐field photographic images. ROP is fast emerging as an important cause of childhood blindness in India.[1‐3] In spite of recommendations for screening of preterm babies to rule out ROP,[4] there is no evidence of universal ROP screening programs in India. Lack of awareness and limited trained manpower are important barriers in implementing screening programs for ROP. Assigning the task of performing retinal photography to a trained technician and implementing telemedicine models for ROP screening are methods that can be used to overcome these barriers. In 2012, a hospital‐based observational study was conducted at a tertiary eye care center in Pune, West India, after approval from the Institution Ethics Committee. Severe ROP was defined as any ROP in zone I or plus disease or any stage 3 ROP. Poor quality images due to hazy media and patients with non‐dilating pupils were excluded from the study. Digital wide‐field photography (Retcam Shuttle, Clarity Medical systems, USA) was performed by a trained ophthalmic technician. The images were uploaded on a server using a unique software (i2i CARE Tele Ophthalmology Software, i2i Telesolutions Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore, India). These images could be viewed on a smart phone using a viewer software. Two ophthalmologists experienced in ROP diagnosis and management participated in this study. Use of the Smart Phone as a Diagnostic Interface for Detecting Severe Retinopathy of Prematurity: A Pilot Study