Smartphone Aided Funduscopy in Albino Rabbits

Aims: The methodology, utility and clinical feasibility of using a smartphone camera to obtain images of ocular fundus of albino rabbits with ocular hypertension and normotension were studied. A comparative analysis of fundus images obtained from two popularly used smartphone models, android and iOS device was performed on 36 adult albino rabbits.

Study Design: A cross-sectional study involving two cohorts of ocular hypertensive and normotensive albino rabbits.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy for an eight-week period (2023).

Methodology: A total of 36 adult albino rabbits (18 males and 18 females; age range 6- 8 months of age) with ocular normotensive eyes and unilateral ocular hypertension-induced models were used. The conscious animals were gently restrained in an acrylic restrainer. Instillation of topical mydriatic solution (tropicamide 0.8% and phenylephrine 5%) facilitated visual examination and enhanced field of view along with auxiliary condensing lenses of 20 and 40 Diopters. A comparison of fundus images obtained from two popularly used smartphone models, android and iOS devices was performed on 36 adult albino rabbits.

Results: Fundus images comprising the optic nerve head and peripapillary retina were obtained with adequate spatial resolution and detail. The variation between optic disc of ocular hypertensive eye revealed mild edema and cupping of optic disc. Normal merangiotic retina and optic disc were clearly obtained in normotensive rabbit eyes. The iOS device used in this case yielded better images in resolution and field of view compared to the android version used in this case.

Conclusion: Smart phone funduscopy offered good detail in contrast and resolution even in amelanotic eyes of albino rabbits using inbuilt technology without the need for an external adapter or sophisticated additional software. It is an animal-friendly futuristic solution for digital documentation, telemedicine, teaching and clinical prognosis formulation.