Instruments: Handy imaging

Like many of you, I have found myself in situations where taking a photo or video using a smartphone has helped in the management of a patient. Good examples of this include the video with flashlight of a small infant with pseudostrabismus (this may be seen online related to this feature) where I was able to stop the video and take a still image which clearly demonstrated to the worried parent that the cornea reflexes were centred nicely. Another example, shown in figure 1, was where a patient had anterior blepharitis and adnexal oedema warranting management. As I first saw this during a domiciliary visit and had no portable slit-lamp on me, taking photos helped me to later decide on what to take for a follow-up visit. Furthermore, we are increasingly aware of the importance of recognising safeguarding issues and even the possibility of non-accidental injury. If suspected, particularly during a domiciliary visit, then image capture (with all due informed consent being met), a timed image can prove valuable in later investigations.