Scientists developed a portable camera for an eye test instead of irritating drops
Scientists have developed a cheap portable camera that can photograph the retina without administering the dilating pupillary irritating drops. The camera works by first emitting infrared light, iris - the muscle that controls the opening of the pupil - does not react to.
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Most retina cameras use white light, which is why pupil dilating drops are needed. Infrared light is used to focus the camera on the retina, which may take a few seconds. Once focused, a quick flash of white light is delivered when the picture is taken.
Made from single pieces mostly available online, the total cost of the camera is about $ 185, said researchers from the University of Illinois in Chicago.
"As residents see patients in the hospital, there are often times when we are not allowed to dilate patients - neurosurgery patients for example," said Bailey Shen of UI C. The camera is based on the Raspberry Pi 2 computer, a low cost, onboard computer designed to teach children how to build and program computers. The card connects to a cheap infrared camera and a dual infrared and white light-emitting diode. A handful of other components make up the rest of the camera, the researchers said