5 Top Imaging Devices Your Ophthalmology Practice Could Be Overlooking

Technology and ophthalmology go hand-in-hand. Whether it's the latest wide-field fundus photography system, OCT technology, or ultrasound, imaging devices have enhanced diagnosing and managing nearly all ophthalmological conditions. While some imaging devices have become commonplace, we aim to highlight devices that may not be as common but could benefit your practice and patient outcomes. In some cases, we argue for a unique application of an imaging modality that you may already have.

Technology and diversity in imaging options in ophthalmology, and in particular retina, only continues to expand. It is estimated that by 2025, the global retinal imaging devices market will exceed six billion dollars.

1) Intraoperative Optical Coherence Tomography (iOCT)

While OCT has revolutionized eyecare in a clinic setting, the utilization of OCT during surgery (i.e., intraoperative OCT) is still grossly underutilized. Survey data revealed that only approximately 25% of surgeons currently utilize iOCT.^2-6 This is despite multiple studies showing the ability of iOCT to facilitate superior precision in surgery, superior endpoint visualization and reduction of unnecessary steps.^2-6

Additionally, research shows that iOCT informs and changes surgical decision-making in anywhere from 10 to 40% of surgical cases.^2-6 Whereas before handheld or portable iOCT devices were problematic and impractical, new microscope-integrated iOCT devices represent a new horizon allowing for seamless, live integration.

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^{HAAG-STREIT SURGICAL iOCT System}

2) Remidio FOP NM10 Portable Fundus Camera

Smartphones cannot only benefit your practice but can help alleviate preventable eye disease burden globally. Smartphone-based handheld fundus photo systems such as Remidio’s FOP NM10 have become so sophisticated that they can capture retina images through a non-mydriatic eye with a 45-degree field of view. These devices can be used at the slit lamp, providing imaging equivalent to retina desktops in validated studies.

Additionally, the FOP NM10 can screen for diabetic retinopathy using an algorithm that takes just 10 seconds, also validated in multiple peer-reviewed journals as an evidence-based and high-quality screening tool.^7-10 Having such non-mydriatic cameras in an internal medicine or family medicine practice may revolutionize the future of diabetic retinopathy screening.

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^{Remidio FOP NM10 Portable Fundus Camera}

3) Widefield Fundus Photography, Remidio Vistaro

While to some, it may be straightforward, not all have adopted widefield fundus photography imaging. The benefits of wider-field images of the fundus are multiple. Further assessment of the periphery allows for more accurate staging of diseases like diabetic retinopathy. Additionally, it allows for superior evaluation of hereditary retinal disorders, choroidal tumors, choroidal dystrophies, and peripheral degenerative patterns, all of which directly lead to more comprehensive and accurate diagnosis, prognosis, and management.

Remidio’s Vistaro represents one particular widefield fundus camera that is unique in that it is a smartphone-based, handheld imaging device that can provide the equivalent of the traditional seven-field ETDRS image.¹¹ Additionally, it gives a field of view that extends to/beyond 60 degrees.

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^{This image, captured on a} ^{ZEISS Clarus 500, demonstrates the widefield view into the outer peripheral areas of the retina. Contributed by Dan Epshtein, OD, FAAO.}

4) Maestro2 Automated OCT/Fundus Camera with OCTA

The Maestro2 from Topcon is a fully automatic OCT system that can capture a color fundus image, OCTA, and OCT with a single button, in an undilated eye. Additionally, a follow-up feature scans the exact location with high precision during subsequent visits. This integration allows for superior visualization and tracking of conditions like choroidal neovascularization, diabetic retinopathy, and microaneurysms.

The value of this type of device comes in the potential it has to optimize clinic efficiency and decrease dependency on highly skilled technicians due to ease of use.¹² Additionally, the follow-up feature mitigates inter- and intra-photographer variability between follow-up visits.

^{Maestro2 Automated OCT/Fundus Camera with OCTA}

5) Optos Silverstone

Optos Silverstone is the first and only imaging device to offer optomap®-guided swept-source OCT. Single-capture ultra-widefield (optomap) imaging has been associated with both improved clinic flow and improved patient satisfaction.^13,14 Given the immense, growing burden of diabetes, hypertension, and related morbidities, clinical volumes will continue to rise, giving tremendous value to tools like Silverstone that streamline clinic flow and improve efficiency and safely.^15,16

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Conclusions

Major trends emerging in the latest imaging modalities and tools are integrating multiple images into a single device that is more compact, higher quality imaging, more portable and handheld devices, increased ability to capture images through the non-mydriatic eye, and increased utilization of artificial intelligence and algorithmic imaging. While some of the latest imaging has peer-reviewed data to back its use, other tools are yet to be validated. However, even in cases where validation remains to be strengthened, combination image modalities that are more portable, faster, or algorithm-based represent opportunities for increased efficiency.

References:

Retinal Imaging Devices Market Size USD 6.3 Bn by 2025 (kbvresearch.com)
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