THE EXPANDING ROLE OF TELEOPHTHALMOLOGY IN ANTERIOR SEGMENT CARE: A MODERN REVIEW

Abstract

With the introduction of telemedicine, the delivery of care has changed to the advantage of reaching all the patients and the teleophthalmology is gaining momentum as a plausible model of eye care especially in the management of anterior segment diseases. Many diseases of the anterior segment may necessitate early detection and treatment especially in underprivileged and frontier communities: such as in conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, blepharitis, dry eye, and cataracts. Teleophthalmology including the synchronous (real-time video consultation), asynchronous (store-and-forward), and hybrid systems allows early screening, remote monitoring, triage, and follow-up care. This contemporary review criticizes the competence, restraints, and technological advancement backing teleophthalmology in the anterior treatment. It examines imaging applications, artificial intelligence and regulatory issues and offers a converged framework to scale and deliver equitable access to ophthalmic services. The impact of COVID-19 pandemic due to the increased rate of digital adoption and the increased mass of evidence that confirm the safety, effectiveness, and affordability of teleophthalmology is also noted in the review. Teleophthalmology has the ability to supplement anterior segment care and decongest tertiary eye centers with proper infrastructure and clinical steps.