Evaluation of the effectiveness of diagnostic & management decision by teleophthalmology using indigenous equipment in comparison with in-clinic assessment of patients.

Background & Objectives: There is a concern on the quality and the usefulness of teleophthalmology images, particularly those using indigenous equipment, in making a diagnosis and treatment decisions in ophthalmology. The present study was done to compare the level of agreement and sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis and management decisions of various eye diseases by teleophthalmology using indigenous equipment, compared to the in-clinic assessment.

Methods: Patients having different eye diseases were evaluated by two ophthalmologists - one ophthalmologist examined the patient in clinic setting while the other ophthalmologist made the diagnosis and management decision based on images sent by teleophthalmology.