Abstract This aim of this study was to test the feasibility of smartphone-based specular microscopy of the corneal endothelium at a sub-cellular resolution. Quantitative examination of endothelial cells is essential for evaluating corneal disease such as determining a diagnosis, monitoring progression and assessing treatment. Smartphone-based technology promises a new opportunity to develop affordable devices to foster quantitative examination of endothelial cells in rural and underserved areas. In our study, we incorporated an iPhone 6 and a slit lamp to demonstrate the feasibility of smartphone-based microscopy of the corneal endothelium at a sub-cellular resolution. The sub-cellular resolution images allowed quantitative calculation of the endothelial cell density. Comparative measurements revealed a normal endothelial cell density of 2978 cells/mm2 in the healthy cornea, and a significantly reduced cell density of 1466 cells/mm2 in the diseased cornea with Fuchs’ dystrophy. Our ultimate goal is to develop a smartphone-based telemedicine device for low-cost examination of the corneal endothelium, which can benefit patients in rural areas and underdeveloped countries to reduce health care disparities.

中文翻译：

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亚细胞分辨率下基于智能手机的角膜内皮成像

摘要 本研究的目的是在亚细胞分辨率下测试基于智能手机的角膜内皮镜面显微镜的可行性。内皮细胞的定量检查对于评估角膜疾病至关重要，例如确定诊断、监测进展和评估治疗。基于智能手机的技术为开发负担得起的设备提供了新的机会，以促进农村和服务欠缺地区内皮细胞的定量检查。在我们的研究中，我们结合了 iPhone 6 和裂隙灯，以证明基于智能手机的角膜内皮显微镜在亚细胞分辨率下的可行性。亚细胞分辨率图像允许定量计算内皮细胞密度。比较测量结果显示，健康角膜中内皮细胞密度为 2978 个细胞/mm2，而患有 Fuchs 营养不良的患病角膜中的细胞密度显着降低，为 1466 个细胞/mm2。我们的最终目标是开发一种基于智能手机的远程医疗设备，用于角膜内皮的低成本检查，使农村地区和欠发达国家的患者受益，减少医疗保健差距。