Telemedicine and Pediatric Retinal Disease.

TLDR: The applications for telemedicine for pediatric retinal disease and future directions for care are reviewed.

Abstract: Ophthalmic diagnostic technologies have revolutionized our understanding about the pathoanatomy and pathophysiology of many disease processes. This is especially applicable in the field of retina where fundus photography, optical coherence tomography, optical coherence tomography angiography, fluorescein angiography, and many other imaging modalities have allowed us to evaluate, document, and disseminate the findings and evolution of retinal diseases. Many have recognized the utility of ophthalmic imaging for use in telemedicine applications. Telemedicine is defined as the use of digital communication and electronic information sharing to provide health care at a distance.1 Telemedicine has the power to transform patient experiences for ophthalmic care, especially in a primary care setting. Patients normally have better access to general practitioners and, with teleophthalmology, can have the opportunity to receive screening eye care during their routine visits to determine the need for referral to subspecialty care.2 There are various studies demonstrating the efficacy of teleophthalmology in screening for various blinding eye conditions such as diabetic retinopathy,3,4 age-related macular degeneration,5 and glaucoma.6 One particularly useful application for telemedicine is in the field of pediatric retina. Pediatric retina remains a small field with limited specialists available to engage in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of pediatric retinal diseases. The advent of information sharing through various retinal imaging modalities allows for remote screening and guidance of potential treatment decisions for various pediatric retinal diseases. This paper will review the applications for telemedicine for pediatric retinal disease and future directions for care.