Purpose: 

The aim of this study was to describe a new type of medical device that allows for internet-enabled patient self-screening, without the aid of an ophthalmic professional, through biomicroscopy self-imaging and self-measurement of the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA).

Methods: 

In this prospective nonrandomized comparative study, 56 patients were instructed to screen their own eyes using a custom-built e-Device containing miniaturized slitlamp optics and a visual acuity Snellen chart virtually projected at 20 ft. BCVA measurements were recorded, and biomicroscopic videos were scored for image quality of the anterior segment status on a scale from 1 to 5 (1 = poor and 5 = excellent) by a blinded observer.

Results: 

After a short instruction, all patients were able to self-image their eyes and perform a self-BCVA measurement using the e-Device. Patient self-image quality with the e-Device scored on average 3.3 (±0.8) for videos (n = 76) and 3.6 (±0.6) for photographs (n = 49). Self-BCVA measurement was within 1 Snellen line from routine BCVA levels in 66 of 72 eyes (92%). When compared with conventional biomicroscopy, patient self-biomicroscopy allowed for recognition of the relevant pathology (or absence thereof) in 26 of 35 eyes (74%); 9 cases showed insufficient image quality attributed to device operating error (n = 6) and mild corneal edema and/or scarring (n = 3). Patient satisfaction with the device was 4.4 (±0.9).

Conclusions: 

An e-Device for combined BCVA self-measurement and biomicroscopy self-imaging may have potential as an aid in remote ophthalmic examination in the absence of an ophthalmic professional and may be considered for patients who are unable to visit an ophthalmic clinic for routine follow-up.

中文翻译：

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在 COVID-19 锁定期间使用眼科电子设备进行独立患者自我检查的首次临床体验

目的： 

本研究的目的是描述一种新型医疗设备，该设备允许在没有眼科专业人员帮助的情况下，通过生物显微镜自我成像和最佳矫正视力的自我测量，实现互联网患者自我筛查。 BCVA）。

方法： 

在这项前瞻性非随机比较研究中，指示 56 名患者使用定制的电子设备筛查自己的眼睛，该电子设备包含微型裂隙灯光学器件和虚拟投影在 20 英尺处的视力 Snellen 图。记录 BCVA 测量值，并对生物显微镜视频进行评分由盲人观察者对眼前节状态的图像质量进行评分，从 1 到 5（1 = 差，5 = 优秀）。

结果： 

经过简短的指导后，所有患者都能够对自己的眼睛进行自我成像，并使用电子设备进行自我 BCVA 测量。使用电子设备的患者自我图像质量平均得分为 3.3 (±0.8) 的视频 (n = 76) 和 3.6 (±0.6) 的照片 (n = 49)。72 只眼中有 66 只（92%）的自我 BCVA 测量值与常规 BCVA 水平相差 1 Snellen 线。与传统的生物显微镜相比，患者的自我生物显微镜可以识别 35 只眼睛中的 26 只（74%）的相关病理（或不存在）；9 例由于设备操作错误 (n = 6) 和轻度角膜水肿和/或疤痕 (n = 3) 导致图像质量不足。患者对该设备的满意度为 4.4 (±0.9)。

结论： 

在没有眼科专业人员的情况下，用于组合 BCVA 自我测量和生物显微镜自我成像的电子设备可能有助于远程眼科检查，并且可以考虑用于无法前往眼科诊所进行常规随访的患者 -向上。