Objective: We determined the diagnostic accuracies of the mydriatic, monoscopic, iPhone 6s+ optic nerve photographs with a 20D lens and the Melbourne Rapid Fields (MRF) visual fields iPad application. Methods: This was a prospective, cross-sectional, single-center study involving 47 non-glaucomatous and 49 glaucomatous eyes. Each eye underwent 2 visual field tests: MRF iPad application and the Humphrey Field Analyzer (HRF). Mydriatic photographs of the fundus were taken with two devices: an iPhone 6s+ combined with a 20 D lens and the Visucam 500 fundus camera. All printouts were evaluated by 2 independent, masked glaucoma specialists. Diagnostic accuracies between the modalities were computed. Agreements between different parameters of both devices were analyzed using Cohen’s kappa test. Results: Smartphone-based (iPhone 6s+) fundus photos had an overall sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 89.36%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 89.36% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 100%, with all kappa values between graders of each parameter above 0.61. Tablet-based Melbourne Rapid Fields test had a sensitivity of 81.82%, specificity of 86.54%, PPV of 83.72% and NPV of 84.91%, showing good agreement with the HRF with a kappa value of 0.68 ± 0.07. Conclusion Smartphone-based fundus photography and tablet-based visual field tests are comparable to the standard fundus photos and visual field tests in evaluating the optic nerve and visual field. These portable devices are reliable and appropriate tools for diagnosing glaucoma and can be used for documentation and testing in remote areas and in a wider range of settings.
Fundus Oculi

Dry eye disease (DED), currently and, perhaps, at long last a widely accepted prevalent ocular disorder, poses significant challenges, particularly in the developing world, including the Philippines. It disrupts the tear film, leading to discomfort and visual impairment, thereby affecting not only quality of life but economic productivity as well. The ubiquitousness of computer screen use and the evolution of cataract surgery into refractive surgery are only two causative factors of a complex, multivariate problem. Despite its global prevalence, a stark contrast exists in the awareness, diagnosis, and treatment of DED between developed and developing regions. This editorial aims to underscore these disparities, focusing on the crucial roles of healthcare awareness, diagnostic advancements, accessible treatment options, prioritization of governmental policies, and the ethical engagement of the pharmaceutical industry to enhance DED management in under-resourced settings.
Dry Eye Syndromes