Telemedical evaluation and management of retinopathy of prematurity using a fiberoptic digital fundus camera

Objective: We sought to determine whether retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) can be evaluated and managed telemedically. Design: Multicenter noncomparative case series. Participants: Ten patients (19 eyes) with ROP were evaluated and treated per standard of care and imaged with the RetCam 120 digital fundus camera (Massie Research Laboratories, Inc., Dublin, CA). Intervention: Images were transmitted to a remote site for evaluation and management recommendations. Main Outcome Measures: Telemedical evaluations and management recommendations were compared with traditional on-site standard of care evaluations and treatments. Results: The identification of Plus disease at the remote site was accurately identified in 95% of eyes. Prethreshold, threshold, and stage 4 or 5 ROP were correctly detected in 17 of 19 (89%) eyes. Conclusions: Results indicate ROP can be evaluated and treatment recommendations made at remote sites with telemedicine strategies. Ophthalmology 2000;107:25-28 (C) 2000 by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.