Hand-held device passes accuracy test

A hand-held imaging system used to assess the retinas of diabetics compared favourably with a desk-mounted retinal camera.

In a study published in this month's Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology, 272 diabetic eyes were screened using the EyeScan device, operated by both an ophthalmologist and an ancillary staff member.

The sensitivity and specificity for detection of retinopathy by the ophthalmologist were 93 and 98 per cent respectively, compared with 92 and 99 per cent for a desktop digital camera. Use of both cameras by the ancillary staff member scored slightly lower.

The authors concluded that the EyeScan 'has excellent diagnostic accuracy in screening for diabetic retinopathy.' There are currently no portable devices approved for screening in the UK by the National Screening Programme for Diabetic Retinopathy.