title: Telemedicine for eye care.
abstract: Tele-ophthalmology has been employed mainly for patients in under-served rural areas in need of specialty care, but other applications such as telementoring have also been used. In certain populations, cost containment is a significant issue and telemedicine is a solution. Tele-ophthalmology can be performed in realtime, by store-and-forward mode, or by hybrid techniques. After appropriate modification, a range of peripherals may be used for tele-ophthalmology, including the direct ophthalmoscope, indirect ophthalmoscope, slit lamp or retinal camera. Tele-ophthalmology applications include: detecting, screening and diagnosing diabetic retinopathy; anterior segment imaging; glaucoma screening; low vision consultation; telementoring. Tele-ophthalmology shows great promise for improving patient care and increasing access to specialty care not available in under-served areas. In developing countries tele-ophthalmology may be a cost-effective method by which richer countries can assist them.
authors.affiliation: UTMB Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Galveston, Texas 77555-1106, USA. rtang@utmb.edu
authors.forename: Rosa Ana
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Marlene
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morales
authors.forename: Giselle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ricur
authors.forename: Jade S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Schiffman
mesh_terms: D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D015351:Vision Screening / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*