Comprehensive standardized ophthalmic telemedicine

Abstract

The Electrodiagnostic Neurophysiological Automated Analysis (ENAA) telematic system was developed in the EU EUREKA project. To validate the system 2500 electrodiagnostic tests were administered in a standardized manner during a three-year period. The tests were performed on 70 normal subjects and 500 patients in five laboratories in three European countries. The data were transmitted to the Bristol Telematic Electrodiagnostic Centre in the Bristol Eye Hospital. Data from normal subjects were not significantly different between laboratories. Data from patients were reported upon and the conclusions transmitted to the place of origin. The system provided the remote consultant with multimedia data, including medical images such as colour fundus photography and angiography, video and sound.

Telemedicine in ophthalmology

“…TOSCA aims to reduce the incidence of blindness caused by diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. The EUREKA project involved visual electrodiagnosis and transmission of colour fundus photographs, pictures of fluorescein angiography, video clips permitting assessment of eye position and mobility, and videoconference facilities for live discussion between experts in cases of diagnostic ambiguity (Papakostopoulos et al 1997).…”

Medical applications and technical standardization of teleconferencing

“…The OPHTEL Project used store-and-forward e-mail systems and real-time videoconferencing for collaborative ophthalmology consultations in diabetes (Mertz et al 1997, Zahlmann et al 1988). The EUREKA Project concerned visual electrodiagnosis and transmission of color fundus photographs, pictures of fluorescein angiography, video clips permitting assessment of eye position and mobility, and videoconference facilities for live discussion between experts in cases of diagnostic ambiguity (Papakostopoulos et al 1997).…”

Telemedicine

“…At the hospital level, many reports of teleteaching include ophthalmology among the specialties covered in the programmes. Scattered reports exist of other uses such as the transmission of electrodiagnostic results9 and follow up of postoperative patients 10…”