Corneal Injury Detection Using Apple iOS-Based Application Technology.

Abstract

PURPOSE: To describe the feasibility of an attachment-free iOS-based cobalt blue light application to accurately detect corneal injury. METHODS: Corneal epithelium from New Zealand White rabbits was removed by gentle scraping with a dulled scalpel or by using a classic biopsy punch (2 mm in diameter). Each cornea was then examined using a smartphone-enabled blue light after applying a fluorescein sodium ophthalmic strip. Photographs of each cornea before and after using the smartphone-based light were captured with a second smartphone device. RESULTS: The iOS-based (Apple Inc., Cuptertino, CA) cobalt blue light effectively illuminated fluorescein dye in all ex vivo samples. Both circular punch biopsy and linear scalpel-induced corneal injuries were readily identified. CONCLUSIONS: The iOS-based cobalt blue light is a portable, low-cost, and effective alternative to commercially available cobalt blue lights.