Insightful Innovation: Manual Smartphone Fundoscopy and Its Potential in Revolutionizing Day-to-day Clinical Practice in India

Objective: Fundus examination is a vital part of routine ophthalmological examination. Over the years, we have had various techniques and advancements to make the procedure handy, cheap, and more efficient. The latest in the armory is the smartphone fundoscopy. Although most of the work using this technique has been done in Western countries, of late it has gained popularity in India, especially among the residents. Here, we describe a relatively simple technique for fundus photography in patients with dilated pupils using a smartphone and an indirect ophthalmoscopy lens. Materials and Methods: Various applications and devices have been developed to acquire images of the retina using the smartphone, but that only adds to the overall cost of the procedure. By applying the basic principle of indirect ophthalmoscopy and using a smartphone and a condensing lens, we can record high-definition videos of the fundus and subsequently extract high-quality images. Results: Using the described technique of manual smartphone fundus photography, excellent, high-quality fundus images have been captured. Conclusion: Fundus photography using a smartphone is an inexpensive, portable, safe, fast, and convenient method to obtain retinal images during busy outpatient departments or even inward for bedridden patients. These images can be used as medical records for follow-up of different pathologies and academic purposes.