Ocular fundus photography with a smartphone device in acute hypertension.

Background: The ocular fundus examination is infrequently and poorly performed in the emergency department (ED) clinical settings, placing patients at risk for missed diagnosis of hypertensive emergencies. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of the ocular fundus photography with a smartphone small optical device in an ED setting and to compare it with a traditional ocular fundus examination.

Methods: The study included 52 consecutive patients (mean age 69 ± 16 years, 50% women) presenting to a hospital ED with an acute increase in blood pressure (SBP > 180 and/or DBP > 100 mmHg).