Diagnostic utility of an automated fundus-OCT camera in the emergency department: a retrospective review

Abstract Background Posterior segment pathology can be challenging to diagnose and may lead to irreversible vision loss. Ocular imaging modalities are limited in the emergency department (ED) where many posterior segment emergencies present. Automated fundus-OCT cameras are emerging as a rapid, user...

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Main Authors: Samyuktha Guttha, Andrew M. Huang, Kiran Malhotra, Andrea L. Blitzer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Ophthalmology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-025-04228-z
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author Samyuktha Guttha
Andrew M. Huang
Kiran Malhotra
Andrea L. Blitzer
author_facet Samyuktha Guttha
Andrew M. Huang
Kiran Malhotra
Andrea L. Blitzer
author_sort Samyuktha Guttha
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Posterior segment pathology can be challenging to diagnose and may lead to irreversible vision loss. Ocular imaging modalities are limited in the emergency department (ED) where many posterior segment emergencies present. Automated fundus-OCT cameras are emerging as a rapid, user-friendly and cost-effective tool in the ED. Methods Fundus and OCT images were taken by residents as needed for patients undergoing ophthalmology consultation in an academic ED in 2023. Image type and quality were graded on a scale of 1 to 3 (poor, adequate, good). Medical records were reviewed to record relevant patient characteristics. Statistical analysis was performed using unequal variances T-test to compare patients with poor and at least adequate photo quality. Results 288 patients were imaged with the fundus-OCT camera over 12 months. Camera utilization increased at the start of the academic year, then decreased towards the end of the academic year. Adequate diagnostic quality images were taken in 92% of color photos and 94% of OCT images. The odds of poor image quality were significantly higher in patients presenting with logMAR > 1.0 (OR 8.07, 95% CI 3.28–19.86, p < 0.001) and age > 65 (OR 4.69, 95% CI 1.94–11.34, p < 0.001). Conclusions Fundus photography and OCT are emerging as viable imaging modalities in the ED where access to ophthalmic expertise and equipment has traditionally been limited. Automated fundus-OCT cameras can offer high quality images that may facilitate rapid and accurate diagnosis of posterior segment pathology.
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spelling doaj-art-ef0b89b91ed949dfaa71b441c33a7e132025-08-20T04:01:53ZengBMCBMC Ophthalmology1471-24152025-07-012511710.1186/s12886-025-04228-zDiagnostic utility of an automated fundus-OCT camera in the emergency department: a retrospective reviewSamyuktha Guttha0Andrew M. Huang1Kiran Malhotra2Andrea L. Blitzer3NYU Department of OphthalmologyNYU Department of OphthalmologyNYU Department of Clinical InformaticsNYU Department of OphthalmologyAbstract Background Posterior segment pathology can be challenging to diagnose and may lead to irreversible vision loss. Ocular imaging modalities are limited in the emergency department (ED) where many posterior segment emergencies present. Automated fundus-OCT cameras are emerging as a rapid, user-friendly and cost-effective tool in the ED. Methods Fundus and OCT images were taken by residents as needed for patients undergoing ophthalmology consultation in an academic ED in 2023. Image type and quality were graded on a scale of 1 to 3 (poor, adequate, good). Medical records were reviewed to record relevant patient characteristics. Statistical analysis was performed using unequal variances T-test to compare patients with poor and at least adequate photo quality. Results 288 patients were imaged with the fundus-OCT camera over 12 months. Camera utilization increased at the start of the academic year, then decreased towards the end of the academic year. Adequate diagnostic quality images were taken in 92% of color photos and 94% of OCT images. The odds of poor image quality were significantly higher in patients presenting with logMAR > 1.0 (OR 8.07, 95% CI 3.28–19.86, p < 0.001) and age > 65 (OR 4.69, 95% CI 1.94–11.34, p < 0.001). Conclusions Fundus photography and OCT are emerging as viable imaging modalities in the ED where access to ophthalmic expertise and equipment has traditionally been limited. Automated fundus-OCT cameras can offer high quality images that may facilitate rapid and accurate diagnosis of posterior segment pathology.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-025-04228-zAutomated fundus-OCT cameraEmergency departmentPoint-of-care retinal imaging
spellingShingle Samyuktha Guttha
Andrew M. Huang
Kiran Malhotra
Andrea L. Blitzer
Diagnostic utility of an automated fundus-OCT camera in the emergency department: a retrospective review
BMC Ophthalmology
Automated fundus-OCT camera
Emergency department
Point-of-care retinal imaging
title Diagnostic utility of an automated fundus-OCT camera in the emergency department: a retrospective review
title_full Diagnostic utility of an automated fundus-OCT camera in the emergency department: a retrospective review
title_fullStr Diagnostic utility of an automated fundus-OCT camera in the emergency department: a retrospective review
title_full_unstemmed Diagnostic utility of an automated fundus-OCT camera in the emergency department: a retrospective review
title_short Diagnostic utility of an automated fundus-OCT camera in the emergency department: a retrospective review
title_sort diagnostic utility of an automated fundus oct camera in the emergency department a retrospective review
topic Automated fundus-OCT camera
Emergency department
Point-of-care retinal imaging
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-025-04228-z
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AT kiranmalhotra diagnosticutilityofanautomatedfundusoctcameraintheemergencydepartmentaretrospectivereview
AT andrealblitzer diagnosticutilityofanautomatedfundusoctcameraintheemergencydepartmentaretrospectivereview