Developing a Wi-Fi Controlled Portable and Low-Cost Telehealth Fundus Camera

Abstract

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in adults. Access to fundus cameras is essential to detecting diabetic retinopathy at an early curable stage. Most commercially available specialized fundus cameras cost thousands of dollars and as a result, are inaccessible to patients in rural areas and third-world countries.The primary goal of this research is to design and build a low-cost, portable fundus camera that is compatible with a smartphone and adaptable for telemedicine. An iterative design approach was used to rapid prototype and test a variety of concepts. Prototypes fabricated using 3D printing and laser cutting were used to capture retinal images in clinical settings and make progressive improvements to the design of the system. This research provides a novel approach to making fundus cameras more accessible by developing a product that is inexpensive, easy to ship, and easy to use.