ESCRS - PO295 - Development And Evaluation Of A Smartphone-Based Corneal Topographer For Keratoconus Screening

Development And Evaluation Of A Smartphone-Based Corneal Topographer For Keratoconus Screening

Published 2022 - 40th Congress of the ESCRS

Reference: PO295 | Type: Free paper | DOI: 10.82333/758b-xw03

Authors: Daniel Eckert* 1 , Christian Funck 1 , Farhad Hafezi 2 , Nikki Hafezi 3

1University of Zurich,Zurich,Switzerland, 2University of Zurich,Zurich,Switzerland;ELZA Institute,Dietikon,Switzerland, 3ELZA Institute,Dietikon,Switzerland

Purpose

Corneal topography is an excellent means to detect corneal diseases such as keratoconus (KC). Early KC detection is essential to prevent irreversible damage to the cornea. However, on a global level, only a fraction of ophthalmologists in private practice have access to corneal topographers, primarily due to cost reasons. Furthermore, the size of existing devices limits their use to clinical settings. Our device is designed to address these issues and enables screening for irregular corneas in areas lacking clinical infrastructure. In addition, it might be used as primary/complementary device for initial examinations in clinics.

Setting

Laboratory for Ocular Cell Biology, CABMM, University of Zurich and ELZA Institute, Dietikon, Switzerland.

Methods

We are currently developing a prototype of a hand-held, smartphone-based Placido topographer. The smartphone provides a convenient user interface to acquire measurements and displays the results, plus a data connection for future integration with cloud-based solutions. Precise alignment of the device with the patient’s eye is facilitated by an easily adjustable head support and an automatically movable Placido disk. Emphasis has been placed on using affordable components, to ensure an affordable device.

Results

In this technological feasibility study, measurements were conducted with an early prototype in June 2021. All 20 eyes were classified correctly as KC (9) and normal (11) by both our software, and an ophthalmologist. Differences to measurements with a Scheimpflug imaging device (Pentacam HR, Oculus Instruments, Wetzlar, Germany) showed average deviations of <1.5D for Kmax. The repeatability was <0.2D for mean curvature and <0.7D for Kmax. The improved prototype currently under test shows improved accuracy <0.5D in preliminary measurements on reference surfaces.

Conclusions

Our current prototype of a portable and affordable screening technology for KC might become an important tool to overcome KC globally. The goal is to complement existing technologies with this approach to improve global access to KC detection.