Smartphone has revolutionized the fundus (part of the eyeball opposite the pupil) imaging in recent past. Researchers have been successful in making Smartphone based cameras and devices with the ability to image limited area of fundus.

Three people from Coimbatore have designed a device with an imaging technique that can image regions of peripheral most retina such as ora serrata and even further till parsplana. Furthermore this newly designed technique does not require any app to be used.

Dr Ashish Sharma MD Lotus Eye Hospital and Institute Coimbatore, TN and his colleagues Guruvayoorappan K B Tech along with S Saranya Devi M Tech., Dr K I Ramachandran PhD from Amrita School of Engineering have designed the device and the imaging technique that can image regions of peripheral most retina such as oraserrata and even further till pars plana. They have christened their device MII Ret Cam (Make In India Retinal Camera).

In developing countries there is a much wider need of the Smartphone based portable device that are capable of imaging central and periphery of retina. “In developing countries many retina practitioners and other comprehensive ophthalmology practitioners find it difficult to fund themselves to buy costly fundus cameras in the beginning of their practice. We hope this new innovation will be of help.” Dr Ashish Sharma said.

In developing countries there are multiple solo clinics across the country and due to un affordability to buy high cost fundus cameras, most of the times diagnosis and documentation of retinal pathologies take a back seat. This affects the overall quality of ophthalmic care across the country. The three hope that their new invention will change the way diagnosis are done.

There are Smartphone based fundus imaging device known in the art but none of them could demonstrate the ability to capture peripheral images.