Cobalt blue light unit filter - A smartphone attachment for blue light photography.

Publisher: Medknow Publications Country of Publication: India NLM ID: 0405376 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1998-3689 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 03014738 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Indian J Ophthalmol Subsets: MEDLINE

Publication: Mumbai : Medknow Publications
Original Publication: Bombay : All-India Ophthalmological Society

Cobalt* ; Smartphone*; Child ; Humans ; Photography ; Pilot Projects ; Slit Lamp Microscopy

Purpose: The aim of this study was to carry out blue light photography of fluorescein-stained corneas using a novel smartphone attachment.
Methods: A smartphone attachment known as the cobalt blue light unit (C-BLU) was developed. It can filter out all wavelengths of light except the blue light emerging from the flashlight of a smartphone. A pilot study was carried out wherein the images captured with the C-BLU system were compared with slit-lamp photographs of the same patients. This setup was then used to photo document fluorescein-stained corneas in various clinical settings assembled at point-of-care.
Results: Many pathologies of the fluorescein-stained cornea were captured using the C-BLU filter. It was used effectively in various settings (remote eye camps, intensive care units (ICU), pediatric group, corneal trauma triaging, etc.). C-BLU was assembled and used by optometrists and ophthalmology residents. The images captured were used for documenting, assisting in the treatment, and also for telecommunication of the patients' findings.
Conclusion: C-BLU is a low-cost pocket-size filter which is easy to use with a modern smartphone without any technical expertise needed to obtain a clear image of fluorescein-stained pathological corneas.
Competing Interests: None

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Keywords: Blue light; cornea; imaging; smartphone; telemedicine

3G0H8C9362 (Cobalt)

Date Created: 20210928 Date Completed: 20211104 Latest Revision: 20220427

20231215

PMC8597460

10.4103/ijo.IJO_3697_20

34571645