title: Teleophthalmology in the evaluation of ocular trauma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this investigation is to evaluate the efficacy of teleophthalmology in the assessment of anterior segment and ocular adnexal trauma using digital imaging devices.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight ocular injuries were created in an animal model. Two separate photographers of different skill levels photographed each injury using four different cameras. The images were transmitted via the Internet and were reviewed by 83 ophthalmologists masked as to the injury, camera, and photographer. The ability to make the correct diagnosis was evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The correct diagnoses were made most consistently for the full-thickness eyelid laceration (96%), corneoscleral laceration with uveal prolapse (92%), partial-thickness eyelid laceration (86%), and hyphema (80%). The correct diagnoses were made less frequently with the intraocular foreign body (10%), normal eye (39%), and corneal foreign body (46%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With the current technology, it appears that teleophthalmology can be used with some reliability to assist with the diagnosis of certain ocular injuries. However, improvements in technology will be necessary before the diagnosis of most intraocular injuries will be able to be done on a consistent basis.
authors.affiliation: Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Ophthalmology Service, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: Allen B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Thach
authors.forename: Kraig S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Bower
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006041:Goats; D020407:Internet; D008887:Military Medicine; D017216:Telemedicine