Application of tele-ophthalmology in remote diagnosis and management of adnexal and orbital diseases.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the feasibility of making a diagnosis of adnexal and orbital diseases by Tele-ophthalmological means.


METHODS
Tele-consultation for eye diseases was done for 3497 patients from remote areas of Tamilnadu as part of the rural tele-ophthalmology project of a tertiary eye care hospital during a period of nine months from October 2004 to June 2005. These patients were comprehensively examined on-site by optometrists. Using digitized images sent by store and forward technique and videoconferencing, the ophthalmologist made a diagnosis and advised treatment.


RESULTS
Adnexal or orbital diseases were detected in 101 out of 3497 patients (2.88%). Medical treatment was advised to 13 of 101 patients (12.8%). Surgery was advised in 62 of 101 patients (61.28%) whereas 18 of 101 patients (17.8%) required further investigations at a tertiary center.


CONCLUSIONS
It was feasible to apply the satellite based tele-ophthalmology set-up for making a presumptive diagnosis and planning further management of adnexal and orbital diseases based on live interaction and digital still images of the patients.
Verma
Malay
M
Medical & Vision Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai-600 006, India.
Raman
Rajiv
R
Mohan
Ravindra E
RE
D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007766:Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000379:methods*; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D019114:Remote Consultation / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013686:Telemetry / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
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