New camera bypasses need to dilate pupils

Manufactured from components mostly available online, the researchers from the College of Medicine at University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), Harvard Medical School, and Massachusetts Eye and Ear created the portable device for only $185.The new technology could revolutionise current standard examination practices, which require the use of stinging eye drops that prevent the iris from constricting and often leave patients with blurred vision for several hours afterwards.{{quote-A:R-W:450-I:2-Q: The new device can capture a clear image of the retina, its blood supply, and portions of the optic nerve that leads to the retina. -WHO:Dr Bailey Shen, Ophthalmology resident at the University of Illinois at Chicago}}UIC ophthalmologist Dr Bailey Shen explained that, outside of the inconvenience of needing to use the sometimes slow acting eye drops, there were instances where doctors are not allowed to dilate eyes – for example with neurosurgery patients.“The device is currently just a prototype, but it shows that it is possible to build a cheap camera capable of taking quality pictures of the retina without dilating eye drops,” Shen said.“It would be cool someday if this device or something similar was carried around in the white-coat pockets of every ophthalmology resident and used by physicians outside of ophthalmology as well.”The device is made from an inexpensive single-board Raspberry Pi 2 computer connected to a cheap infrared camera and dual infrared and white light itting diode (LED). It is also equipped with a lens, small display screen and several cables.The camera works by initially itting infrared light for a few seconds until the camera has focused on the target area, after which white light is flashed to take an image of the back of the eye.Conventional imaging processes use only white light to focus and take images, which affects the iris and precipitates the use of pupil dilating drops.The new device can capture a clear image of the retina, its blood supply, and portions of the optic nerve that leads to the retina. It can also help detect health conditions like glaucoma, diabetes and elevated pressure around the brain.The list of components, assbly instructions and the code needed for the device can be found in the Journal of Ophthalmology.