Digital ophthalmoscope offers faster diagnosis

High street optometrists could soon be using a 'revolutionary' hand-held ophthalmoscope with the diagnostic power of a bulky hospital-based camera.

A research team, led by the University of Warwick, has devised the digital device to give optometrists the ability to email detailed eye maps direct to specialist ophthalmologists.

The device was developed from a three-year research partnership bringing together the University of Warwick, manufacturer Keeler Optics, City University and UCL. It uses a combination of specialist lens and digital imaging and lighting technology which for the first time allows a high quality digital image to be captured and recorded by an ophthalmoscope.