Retinal Self Examination “Selfies” During a Pandemic

The advancement of smartphone camera technology allowing a smaller, high-resolution forward-facing camera on a smartphone allows a user to see the image they are about to capture of themselves at arm’s length, therefore taking a ‘selfie’ image of themselves. The idea of a ‘selfie’ in a clinical setting is novel, but the exploration of this as a concept has been made necessary as COVID-19 infection and transmission risk is based on the proximity, that is, a susceptible person coming near to the person, who is infected. This report discusses an innovative smartphone-based device, oDocs nun IR, a retinal imaging device, as a tool for taking selfie retinal images/videos by patients, that could be later analyzed by the specialists/optometrists over the teleophthalmology portal.

Download Full-text

Tortuosity Index Calculations in Retinal Images: Some Criticalities Arising from Commonly Used Approaches

Information ◽

10.3390/info12110466 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (11) ◽

pp. 466

Author(s):

Francesco Martelli ◽

Claudia Giacomozzi

Keyword(s):

Retinal Imaging ◽

Retinal Images ◽

Cardiovascular Research ◽

Vascular Tortuosity ◽

Retinal Microvasculature ◽

Growing Body

A growing body of research in retinal imaging is recently considering vascular tortuosity measures or indexes, with definitions and methods mostly derived from cardiovascular research. However, retinal microvasculature has its own peculiarities that must be considered in order to produce reliable measurements. This study analyzed and compared various derived metrics (e.g., TI, TI_avg, TI*CV) across four existing computational workflows. Specifically, the implementation of the models on two critical OCT images highlighted main pitfalls of the methods, which may fail in reliably differentiating a highly tortuous image from a normal one. A tentative, encouraging approach to mitigate the issue on the same OCT exemplificative images is described in the paper, based on the suggested index TI*CV.

Download Full-text

Hybrid filtering and enhancement of high-resolution adaptive-optics retinal images

Optics Letters ◽

10.1364/ol.34.003484 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 34 (22) ◽

pp. 3484 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Hua Bao ◽

Changhui Rao ◽

Yudong Zhang ◽

Yun Dai ◽

Xuejun Rao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Resolution ◽

Adaptive Optics ◽

Retinal Images ◽

Hybrid Filtering

Download Full-text

High-resolution retinal imaging: enhancement techniques

10.1117/12.2082711 ◽

2015 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mircea Mujat ◽

Ankit Patel ◽

Nicusor Iftimia ◽

James D. Akula ◽

Anne B. Fulton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Resolution ◽

Retinal Imaging

Download Full-text

USPSTF Testicular Examination Nomination–Self-Examinations and Examinations in a Clinical Setting

American Journal of Men s Health ◽

10.1177/1557988318768597 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 1510-1516 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ana Fadich ◽

Salvatore J. Giorgianni ◽

Michael J. Rovito ◽

Gregory A. Pecchia ◽

Jean J. Bonhomme ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cancer Screening ◽

Testicular Cancer ◽

Clinical Setting ◽

Task Force ◽

Preventive Services ◽

Review Committee ◽

Release Date ◽

Task Force Report ◽

Cultural Attitudes ◽

Self Examination

In 2004, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) published a Grade D recommendation for both testicular self-examination (TSE) and clinical evaluation to screen for testicular cancer in asymptomatic males. This review committee reaffirmed these recommendations in 2009 and again in 2011 (Testicular Cancer: Screening Release Date: April 2011. Final Update Summary: Testicular Cancer: Screening. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. September 2016). The 2011 USPSTF review found no significant evidence that would warrant a change from the last full review in 2004. We believe that the USPSTF erred in its assessments. As acknowledged in the task force report, testicular cancer is not believed to be preventable, and treatment of early detected testicular cancer is generally associated with very favorable outcomes; it is our belief therefore that every encouragement should be given to early detection. We are therefore requesting that the USPSTF review the D rating for testicular examination, both in a clinical setting and as self-examination. We are requesting this, as recent studies and public health warrant a change in grade. The new studies build on earlier studies that support the benefits of regular screening by individuals and their physicians. Further, and equally important, we believe that the current grade and attendant information confuses men and boys about the importance of self-care and wellness and continues to inadvertently reinforce negative cultural attitudes. We believe that adjusting the rating to a Grade B is both warranted and necessary.

Download Full-text