Technology is rapidly advancing, and cameras in smartphones are now better equipped to capture images of the eye such as external photos, slit lamp photos, fundus photography, and wide field fundus imaging and are even capable of performing fundus fluorescein angiography.[1,2,3]
Clinical photography is an essential part of an ophthalmic practice because it allows for photo documentation of different pathologies and for diagnosis and sharing of encrypted information with colleagues and patients. We hereby present a novel technique of high magnification imaging with smartphones and an external lens for imaging the eyelid lesions.
Discussion
We used a smartphone-based clip lens called Smart Picks Microscope Science Investigate for Cellular Phones which was obtained from an online shopping website for the cost of Rs 600. The lens attaches directly to the device, aligning the microscope lens with the device's camera lens. The lens measures 6.5 cm × 2.7 cm × 4.5 cm in size and weighs 28 g. The lens is battery operated by a 3 × 1.5 VAG3 battery, and no additional software is needed. The lens provides up to thirty times magnification using the smartphone's digital zoom [Fig. 1].
Figure 1.
(a)High magnification clip lens (x30), (b) Smartphone with the clip lens attached
Images with very good resolution were obtained by using a Galaxy J7 smartphone having a 13 MP autofocus rear camera. We attached the clip lens to the phone's camera, and then, by using the inbuilt camera application provided in the phone, we captured two images each of different lesions of the eye [Figs. 2 and 3], one without the clip lens and one with the clip lens attached and using the digital zoom of the camera application (gave us thirty times magnification). Any smartphone may be used along with this lens which has an inbuilt light-emitting diode illumination. The image resolution obtained is higher than that provided by a regular slit lamp with a two-step magnification [Fig. 4]. This technique can be used for patient education and in community outreach programs, and it also provides useful information to the clinician while documenting cases and to follow up in a better way.
Figure 2.
(a and b) Papilloma of the lower lid (×1 and ×30)
Figure 3.
(a) Periocular cutaneous naevus imaged without any magnification, (b) same lesion imaged at thirty times magnification providing a greater detail of the surface anatomy of the naevus
Figure 4.
An ant over the eye lashes at thirty times magnification
There are lenses available for smartphones which could provide magnification of more than 100 times, and in the future, perhaps, anterior segment high-resolution imaging will be possible with the use of smartphones.
Conclusion
Novel smartphone-based technology can be used to capture high maglification photographs of eyelid lesions.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
References
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