Telemedicine in ophthalmology. Part 2. “special teleophthalmology”

Abstract

In recent years, telemedicine (TM) has been gradually introduced into ophthalmology in the form of teleophthalmology (TO), because most of the eye diseases can be photographed and transmitted via Internet. The most wide development of TO has involved the field of diabetic retinopathy (DR) diagnosis, primarily due to the high prevalence of diabetes mellitus in the world. Examples of the well-established operation of remote DR screening centers exist in different countries of the world. There are many studies published, which compare a remote examination with a personal one, and according to their data, TO screening is no worse, than traditional screening. In addition to DR, TO also covers the diagnosis of glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and other ophthalmic conditions. In this article, we present an overview of modern TO centers in different countries, the features of their organization and global results that have been achieved during their existence. New technologies developed to facilitate the work of such centers will also be touched: image analysis algorithms, portable diagnostic equipment, medical information systems. The prospects for introducing TO into Russian medical practice are considered separately.