Millions of Americans benefit from access to routine retinal screenings. In their early stages, conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, neovascular glaucoma, and diabetic macular edema do not cause discomfort or vision changes. But if they are left undetected and untreated, conditions like proliferative diabetic retinopathy can all cause vision loss. Non-invasive retinal imaging tests identify early signs of eye disease so individuals can get treatment before their vision is affected. 

Eye health conditions are particularly concerning for older adults and individuals with underlying health conditions like diabetes and hypertension. These same individuals can have the greatest difficulty accessing specialist care for vision health—age, mobility, transportation concerns, or proximity to ophthalmology practices can make it difficult for people to see an eye doctor. Primary care providers and home health services can ensure patients have access to retinal screenings by making thoughtful investments in teleretinal screening equipment.  

The latest retinal screening tools make early detection affordable and accessible for both patients and providers. New, innovative eye exam equipment also offers more mobility and enriched capabilities for providers to leverage, including easier travel to retinal exam sites and handheld imaging equipment. 

Choosing the best retinal imaging machine for your practice can be overwhelming, but it’s critical for delivering quality care. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind as you select the best camera to fit your practice’s unique needs.

Understanding the Types of Retinal Imaging Machines

There is a wide variety of retinal imaging devices that providers can choose from. Practice specialty and patient needs are the top priorities when selecting a device. Primary care providers may benefit from devices that offer reliable screening abilities for the portion of their patient base that needs it. Ophthalmology or optometry practices require equipment for screening, detailed diagnostics, and monitoring during treatment. Understanding the different types of equipment makes choosing the right device easier.

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) uses infrared light to capture a cross-sectional image of the eye. The resulting images show the eye in layers, allowing eye specialists to perform detailed examinations of its structure. This highly effective method of diagnosing diabetic retinopathy and other eye conditions is also helpful in monitoring progress in patients who are receiving treatment for eye disease.

OTC devices are tabletop machines that require designated space in an office. They usually require pupil dilation, which adds to appointment length and leaves patients with light sensitivity for several hours afterward. 

Because of the device size and need for pupil dilation, OTC devices are more appropriate for eye care specialist practices than primary care environments.

 

Fundus Photography

Fundus photography is another effective retinal imaging technology. Using a specialized camera called a fundus camera, providers can capture an image of the retina for examination. The screening is quick and non-invasive. Patients simply look straight into the camera for several seconds while the provider captures a clear image of the retina. 

Fundus cameras are tabletop devices or portable handheld cameras that can wirelessly transmit images to a desktop or laptop. They are often used in eye care practices, and they can also benefit mobile health teams, home care providers, community clinics, and primary care practices. 

 

 

While price is an important consideration when selecting imaging equipment, image quality is paramount. Select a camera that produces clear and easily read images to ensure patients receive an accurate screening result.

 

Teleretinal Screening

Teleretinal screening is a system in which a provider who is not an eye care expert performs a screening, and a remote eye care expert assesses the images. The provider captures a retinal image, usually with a fundus camera, and transmits it to a secure platform. 

Eye care experts can access the images and assess them for signs of diabetic retinopathy or other eye conditions. The patient and provider then receive a report with the findings from the eye care experts. If the report shows areas of concern, the patient can be referred to an ophthalmologist for further screenings. 

The benefit of teleretinal screening is that it expands access to this important healthcare service. Primary care providers and home health services can partner with teleretinal screening platforms to offer quick, safe, and efficient annual diabetic retinal exams to individuals who might not otherwise be able to access diabetic retinopathy screenings.

Key Considerations in Choosing Retinal Screening Tools

When choosing a retinal imaging machine, providers should consider how and where they will be using it. While a tabletop fundus camera makes sense in a traditional office or clinic setting, portable fundus cameras are a better choice for providers who see patients in different locations. Many handheld cameras offer comparable image quality to tabletop models at a lower price point. Choosing a handheld camera reduces initial costs without compromising the quality of care.  

Staff training on camera operation is critical to ensuring high image quality. Pick a camera that all staff will be comfortable using and that has sufficient customer support for troubleshooting occasional issues. Patient experience will improve when providers are confident and efficient with the equipment. 

In addition to the retinal imaging machine itself, software and hardware integration must be easy for users. The camera must have reliable connectivity and be able to upload images to your current EHR system and any portals you use for communicating with patients and other providers.

 

The IRIS Partnership with In-Home Health Providers

IRIS partners with value-based care programs that perform in-home health evaluations to evaluate the whole health needs of plan members. These Health Risk Assessment (HRA) organizations find the IRIS comprehensive teleretinal screening platform valuable for increasing access to diabetic retinopathy screenings for their patients.

Because of the ease, reliability, and portability of the IRIS solution, preventative diabetic retinopathy testing can be done as a part of an at-home care check. The fundus image is taken by the healthcare technician with a handheld retinal imaging machine and is uploaded to the IRIS cloud technology platform. The captured image is automatically enhanced with our proprietary enhancement technology to create a more detailed view of the retinal image, which is sent to the IRIS Reading Center or other licensed eye care providers. After examination, the results are made available to the HRA. 

Doing preventative testing for diabetic retinopathy straight from a patient’s home is a game-changer for HRAs in their quest to close the care gap, raise their HEDIS scores, and improve patient outcomes. Early detection of diabetic eye disease preserves vision and reduces the need for costly interventions to address proliferative diabetic retinopathy. 

 

Adding a retinal screening program to your primary care practice, home health service, or community health center can increase patient access to critical diabetic retinopathy care.

Selecting the right equipment and partnering with an expert teleretinal screening provider can ensure your program delivers the best patient outcomes. 

To learn more about the IRIS platform and how teleretinal screenings can enhance your healthcare practice, contact us for a free demo and visit our blog for more detailed information on teleretinal screening with IRIS.

 

---

Retinal Imaging FAQs

How much are digital retinal cameras?

Retinal scanner costs range dramatically in price depending on a variety of factors, including field of visibility, size, and portability. Determining your practice’s eye screening goals will be key in choosing a quality camera that meets your needs while remaining within your budget. Our team can help you choose the retinal imaging machine for your practice — connect with us today to learn more.

 

What can retinal imaging detect?

Currently, retinal imaging, done by an eye care professional, can detect a host of pathologies that affect the eye, such as diabetic retinopathy, HIV retinopathy, hypertension, macular edema, epiretinal, glaucoma, cataracts, wet/dry AMD, macular hole, vein occlusion, etc. There is ongoing research exploring the possibility of using retinal screenings to detect other issues like Alzheimer’s disease.

 

Is retinal imaging necessary?

Retinal imaging is one of the best ways to detect serious eye health conditions like diabetic retinopathy. Medicare considers annual retinal screenings part of comprehensive care for individuals with diabetes. In addition, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends annual eye exams, including retinal screening, for adults over 40 years old.

 

What does retinal imaging show?

Retinal imaging with a fundus camera shows the retina with a field of view of 40 degrees or more. The image includes the fundus (posterior pole), macula, optic disc, vasculature, and the interior surface of the eye.

 

---

 

SM036 RevC