Handheld device detects blindness in infants

A new handheld device, developed in part by biomedical engineers at Duke University Medical Center, uses spectral domain optical coherence tomography to allow doctors to look for retinopathy of prematurity in infants, a condition that could lead to blindness.

The new device developed by Bioptigen, which creates a 3D image of the back of the eye, can even be taken to infants in the neonatal ICU, and can be used without ever touching an infant's eye. Researchers now say that it's time to determine what role the imaging could play in treatment decisions.

Duke Eye Center ophthalmologist Cynthia Toth compares the process to inspecting fish from the side of an aquarium instead of through an ocean's murky surface.

Posted in: Biomedical ಇಮಗಿಂಗ್, Duke University Health System, retinopathy