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Invited Commentary
May 16, 2019

Diagnostic Time for Teleophthalmic Care

Author Affiliations
  • 1Ophthalmology Section, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Atlanta, Georgia
  • 2Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
  • 3TECS Section, Regional Telehealth Services, VISN 7, Atlanta, Georgia
JAMA Ophthalmol. 2019;137(7):808-809. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2019.1202

In this issue of JAMA Ophthalmology, Hadziahmetovic et al1 have reported on the feasibility and accuracy of retinal photography alone and in combination with optical coherence tomography (OCT) to screen for referable macular degeneration in a high-risk cohort of patients followed up in an endocrinology clinic and older individuals in an assisted living facility. Diagnostic testing was performed in a primary care setting through undilated pupils by nonexpert imagers. The criterion standard was a dilated pupil examination and ancillary testing performed by retinal specialists at an academic institution. Retinal photography had a high accuracy in detecting referable macular disease, especially when combined with OCT. Patients responded favorably to the experience. The study lends support to the application of telemedicine to eye care delivery.

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