The Arclight Ophthalmoscope: A Reliable Low-Cost Alternative to the Standard Direct Ophthalmoscope
Background. The Arclight ophthalmoscope is a low-cost alternative to standard direct ophthalmoscopes. This study compared the Arclight ophthalmoscope with the Heine K180 direct ophthalmoscope to evaluate its reliability in assessing the vertical cup disc ratio (VCDR) and its ease of use (EOU). Metho...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2015-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Ophthalmology |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/743263 |
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| author | James Lowe Charles R. Cleland Evarista Mgaya Godfrey Furahini Clare E. Gilbert Matthew J. Burton Heiko Philippin |
| author_facet | James Lowe Charles R. Cleland Evarista Mgaya Godfrey Furahini Clare E. Gilbert Matthew J. Burton Heiko Philippin |
| author_sort | James Lowe |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background. The Arclight ophthalmoscope is a low-cost alternative to standard direct ophthalmoscopes. This study compared the Arclight ophthalmoscope with the Heine K180 direct ophthalmoscope to evaluate its reliability in assessing the vertical cup disc ratio (VCDR) and its ease of use (EOU). Methods. Eight medical students used both the Arclight and the Heine ophthalmoscopes to examine the optic disc in 9 subjects. An EOU score was provided after every examination (a higher score indicating that the ophthalmoscope is easier to use). A consultant ophthalmologist provided the reference standard VCDR. Results. 288 examinations were performed. The number of examinations that yielded an estimation of the VCDR was significantly higher for the Arclight ophthalmoscope (125/144, 85%) compared to the Heine ophthalmoscope (88/144, 61%) (p<0.001). The mean difference from the reference standard VCDR was similar for both instruments, with a mean of −0.078 (95% CI: −0.10 to −0.056) for the Arclight and −0.072 (95% CI: −0.097 to −0.046) for Heine (p=0.69). The overall EOU score was significantly higher for the Arclight ophthalmoscope (p<0.001). Conclusion. The Arclight ophthalmoscope performs as well as, and is easier to use than, a standard direct ophthalmoscope, suggesting it is a reliable, low-cost alternative. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2ee3835a5d8f4bf4bd49211bd7d8c0a3 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2090-004X 2090-0058 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2015-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Ophthalmology |
| spelling | doaj-art-2ee3835a5d8f4bf4bd49211bd7d8c0a32025-08-20T02:38:52ZengWileyJournal of Ophthalmology2090-004X2090-00582015-01-01201510.1155/2015/743263743263The Arclight Ophthalmoscope: A Reliable Low-Cost Alternative to the Standard Direct OphthalmoscopeJames Lowe0Charles R. Cleland1Evarista Mgaya2Godfrey Furahini3Clare E. Gilbert4Matthew J. Burton5Heiko Philippin6Eastbourne District General Hospital, Kings Drive, Eastbourne BN21 2UD, UKKilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre Eye Department, P.O. Box 3010, Moshi, TanzaniaKilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre Eye Department, P.O. Box 3010, Moshi, TanzaniaKilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre Eye Department, P.O. Box 3010, Moshi, TanzaniaInternational Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UKInternational Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UKKilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre Eye Department, P.O. Box 3010, Moshi, TanzaniaBackground. The Arclight ophthalmoscope is a low-cost alternative to standard direct ophthalmoscopes. This study compared the Arclight ophthalmoscope with the Heine K180 direct ophthalmoscope to evaluate its reliability in assessing the vertical cup disc ratio (VCDR) and its ease of use (EOU). Methods. Eight medical students used both the Arclight and the Heine ophthalmoscopes to examine the optic disc in 9 subjects. An EOU score was provided after every examination (a higher score indicating that the ophthalmoscope is easier to use). A consultant ophthalmologist provided the reference standard VCDR. Results. 288 examinations were performed. The number of examinations that yielded an estimation of the VCDR was significantly higher for the Arclight ophthalmoscope (125/144, 85%) compared to the Heine ophthalmoscope (88/144, 61%) (p<0.001). The mean difference from the reference standard VCDR was similar for both instruments, with a mean of −0.078 (95% CI: −0.10 to −0.056) for the Arclight and −0.072 (95% CI: −0.097 to −0.046) for Heine (p=0.69). The overall EOU score was significantly higher for the Arclight ophthalmoscope (p<0.001). Conclusion. The Arclight ophthalmoscope performs as well as, and is easier to use than, a standard direct ophthalmoscope, suggesting it is a reliable, low-cost alternative.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/743263 |
| spellingShingle | James Lowe Charles R. Cleland Evarista Mgaya Godfrey Furahini Clare E. Gilbert Matthew J. Burton Heiko Philippin The Arclight Ophthalmoscope: A Reliable Low-Cost Alternative to the Standard Direct Ophthalmoscope Journal of Ophthalmology |
| title | The Arclight Ophthalmoscope: A Reliable Low-Cost Alternative to the Standard Direct Ophthalmoscope |
| title_full | The Arclight Ophthalmoscope: A Reliable Low-Cost Alternative to the Standard Direct Ophthalmoscope |
| title_fullStr | The Arclight Ophthalmoscope: A Reliable Low-Cost Alternative to the Standard Direct Ophthalmoscope |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Arclight Ophthalmoscope: A Reliable Low-Cost Alternative to the Standard Direct Ophthalmoscope |
| title_short | The Arclight Ophthalmoscope: A Reliable Low-Cost Alternative to the Standard Direct Ophthalmoscope |
| title_sort | arclight ophthalmoscope a reliable low cost alternative to the standard direct ophthalmoscope |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/743263 |
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