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Smart phone adapter makes slit lamp photography more mobile, economical
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A novel iPhone adapter, the Tiger Lens, is making digital photography in the eye care practice less cumbersome and more affordable, efficient and adaptable.
The adapter is capable of combining a practitioner’s slit lamp and iPhone into a device that functions as well as a commercially available video imaging system and it can be used in any room with a slit lamp, according to the Tiger Lens website.
“In the past, I’ve had dedicated photo systems for my microscope,” Robert Gerowitz, OD, FOAA, said in an interview with Primary Care Optometry News. “As the technology has advanced, unfortunately, these dedicated systems have not kept pace. A few years ago, I got a special adapter that hooked onto an off-the-shelf digital camera, but, again, it’s a matter of taking out the eye piece from the microscope, hooking this in, shooting the pictures and downloading the pictures.
“The beauty of the Tiger Lens is that it’s right there on your iPhone,” he continued. “It fits right onto the slit lamp eyepiece without having to remove anything. Shooting is very easy; it’s easy to zoom in. And then it has the ability to download the images to your electronic health record or to email.”
The phone is capable of shooting videos, as well.
“I’ve used it to consult on some complicated cases,” Gerowitz added.
The Tiger Lens was invented in early 2012 by David P. Bartels, OD, FOAA, after he investigated anterior segment beam splitters for slit lamps and determined that they were too costly. He then realized that the image quality necessary to effectively photograph the anterior segment could be found in today’s cell phone cameras.
“Most doctors already own a smart phone capable of taking images with acceptable resolution,” Bartels told PCON. “The adapter allows them to not only image the anterior segment economically, but to capture video economically.
The Tiger Lens is designed to fit onto the eyepiece of the slit lamp.
Image: Gerowitz R
“I use the Tiger Lens to take video of custom contact lens fitting and medical problems of the cornea,” Bartels continued. “I’m able to video anterior segment problems and then show the video to the patient in real time.”
According to Gerowitz, the images download from the iPhone quickly.
“It’s like downloading your vacation shots for your iPhone,” he said. “Just plug it in, and they’re there. Getting them into my EHR has really been a breeze, too.
“It’s probably the least expensive way to get digital photography in practice,” Gerowitz continued. “It pretty much pays for itself after shooting one or two patients and billing insurance.”
Gerowitz said he primarily uses the adapter for capturing external corneal disease images, but he has also found it useful for capturing video of contact lens fits and using that video to consult with the contact lens laboratories.
“If you’re just starting out with scleral fitting, you can send those images over to the lab for consultation. It’s very helpful,” he said. – by Daniel R. Morgan
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Disclosures: Bartels invented the Tiger Lens. Gerowitz has no relevant financial disclosures.