Author reply

Abstract

I would like to thank Kim et al1Kim D.Y. Delori F. Mukai S. Smartphone photography safety.Ophthalmology. 2012; 119 (xx–xx)Google Scholar for their recent informative and reassuring article, demonstrating the safety of smartphone fundoscopy using the recently described technique.2Bastawrous A. Smartphone fundoscopy.Ophthalmology. 2012; 119: 432-433Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (75) Google Scholar The photobiological safety of any imaging device is of primary importance to ensure patient safety. It should be noted, despite retinal exposure from the smartphone tested, the iPhone 4 (Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA) being 1 order of magnitude less than that from the indirect ophthalmoscope, future smartphone devices may possibly exceed this. Current smartphones with camera flash capability come with a single light emitting diode (LED) (as in the tested device), dual-LED flash or xenon flash. Xenon flash systems are typically found in professional cameras and will generally have greater radiant power than single or dual LEDs. Proposed new smartphone camera flash systems are being developed that could provide up to 20 times more power,3AN3223. Application note. Driver for double flash LED with I2C interface.http://www.st.com/internet/com/TECHNICAL_RESOURCES/TECHNICAL_LITERATURE/APPLICATION_NOTE/CD00274990.pdfGoogle Scholar and could therefore pose a photobiological risk to the retina. I would welcome further testing on future devices to ensure patient safety. It would be feasible to develop an application (app), which could be used for this technique that would control luminance on any future devices that may exceed safe limits. Smartphone Photography SafetyOphthalmologyVol. 119Issue 10PreviewWe read with interest the recent letter by Dr. Bastawrous1 describing smartphone fundoscopy. With the ease of capturing and sharing clinical images using smartphones, this technology has important and expanding applications to patient care. But new innovations do not come without risks. The issue of patient information security was appropriately addressed by Dr. Bastawrous. However, the issue of photobiological safety of smartphone fundoscopy in human eyes has not been addressed. We would like to share the results of our investigation. Full-Text PDF