Optomed announced that Optomed Aurora handheld fundus camera performance and image quality were found appropriate for diabetic retinopathy screening in a pilot screening study conducted by Oulu University Hospital. Oulu University Hospital ophthalmology department has conducted a pilot screening study with the purpose to compare the performance and image quality of the Optomed Aurora handheld fundus camera to the standard desktop fundus cameras normally used in diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening. A total of 157 diabetic patients were selected for the study and it was carried out in Oulu University hospital mobile eye research unit (EyeMo).

The fundus images were taken by an experienced photographer, who was also the first person to analyze the images. After capture, the images were transferred electronically to an eye doctor for diagnosis. The research was published in the Acta Ophthalmologica medical journal in December 2021.

According to the authors, the main conclusion of the study was that the Optomed Aurora handheld fundus camera performs well in diabetic eye screening. The image quality of the camera is good and the changes in the retina can be well detected. The handheld camera offers more flexibility in organizing screening programs as it can easily be moved from one location to another, and it is a more cost-effective alternative.

This pilot study is the first evidence research published in Europe about the performance of the Optomed Aurora handheld fundus camera in screening of DR. The results further strengthen the position of handheld cameras in screening of eye diseases globally.