A comparison of digital retinal image quality among photographers with different levels of training using a non-mydriatic fundus camera.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the quality of digital retinal images taken by three photographers with different levels of photographic training, using a non-mydriatic fundus camera.


METHODS
This study compares 45-degree digital retinal images taken with a non-mydriatic fundus camera by three different photographers with different levels of photographic training: (I) A professional ophthalmic photographer with 20 years of experience; (2) a non-professional photographer with 2 days of photographic training and experience with 50 patients; (3) a non-professional photographer with 1 hour of photographic training and experience with 10 patients. The quality of the photographs was evaluated by the consensus of two retina specialists.


RESULTS
Sixty-four (64) eyes of 33 subjects were imaged by the three photographers for a total of 192 images. Thirty-four eyes were photographed in the non-dilated state. The trained ophthalmic photographer and the two non-professional photographers did not have statistically significant differences in image quality based on the image evaluations. (Chi-square P-value: 0.57). This finding was consistent for eyes in both the non-dilated and dilated state.


CONCLUSIONS
Fundus image quality for images taken with a non-mydriatic camera were not significantly different among three photographers with different levels of training.
Maberley
David
D
Department of Ophthalmology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. dmaberle@vanhosp.bc.ca
Morris
Andrew
A
Hay
Dawn
D
Chang
Angela
A
Hall
Laura
L
Mandava
Naresh
N
D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D009184:Mydriatics; D015588:Observer Variation; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000193:education*; D010781:Photography / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards*; D011680:Pupil / Q000187:drug effects; D012160:Retina / Q000473:pathology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D009184:Mydriatics