Ophthalmic telemedicine at the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind.
BACKGROUND
The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry and the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind have collaborated in development of electronic medical records, digital slit-lamp medical imaging, and ocular telemedicine between their two sites.


METHODS
The telemedicine link uses the electronic medical record system (EMRS) called PEARL, and digitized slit-lamp images made with an MCV 4000 digital imaging unit attached to a Topcon SL4E slit-lamp.


RESULTS
These technologies allow remote physician access to medical records as well as remote triage of eye problems using transmitted digital images and telephone consultation.


CONCLUSIONS
This implementation strategy can serve as a model for improvement of specialist access to remotely located sites. It is a unique pairing of a school of optometry and a residential institution for people with sensory impairment.
Nowakowski
R
R
University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Optometry, 35294-0010, USA.
Hammack
G
G
D000047:Academies and Institutes; D000407:Alabama; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D009907:Optometry / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods*; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000295:instrumentation*