Comparison of Smartphone Photography, Single-Lens Reflex Photography, and Field-Grading for Trachoma

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2020 Dec;103(6):2488-2491. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0386. Epub 2020 Oct 1.

Abstract

Conjunctival examination for trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) guides public health decisions for trachoma. Smartphone cameras may allow remote conjunctival grading, but previous studies have found low sensitivity. A random sample of 412 children aged 1-9 years received an in-person conjunctival examination and then had conjunctival photographs taken with 1) a single-lens reflex (SLR) camera and 2) a smartphone coupled to a 3D-printed magnifying attachment. Three masked graders assessed the conjunctival photographs for TF. Latent class analysis was used to determine the sensitivity and specificity of each grading method for TF. Single-lens reflex photo-grading was 95.0% sensitive and 93.6% specific, and smartphone photo-grading was 84.1% sensitive and 97.6% specific. The sensitivity of the smartphone-CellScope device was considerably higher than that of a previous study using the native smartphone camera, without attachment. Magnification of smartphone images with a simple attachment improved the grading sensitivity while maintaining high specificity in a region with hyperendemic trachoma.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Photography / instrumentation*
  • Photography / methods*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Smartphone*
  • Trachoma / diagnosis*