Stereoscopic three-dimensional (3D) slit-lamp photography using a compact 3D digital camera

Abstract

We describe a novel method of stereoscopic 3D slit-lamp photography using a portable compact 3D digital camera. Thirteen eyes of 13 patients underwent slit-lamp photography using a Fujifilm 3D compact digital camera. We modified a universal smartphone microscope adapter to attach the camera to the slit-lamp. Photography was attempted on Zeiss and on HAAG-Streit slit-lamps. Success was defined as capturing a stereogram that consists of two simultaneous pictures, one from each slit-lamp ocular. Stereoscopic 3D slit-lamp photos could be captured in all 13 eyes in which they were attempted on Zeiss slit-lamps. Captured 3D media included external, eyelid, conjunctival, corneal, anterior chamber, lens, vitreous, and optic disc pathologies. Stereoscopic 3D photography could not be obtained using this Fujifilm 3D digital camera on Haag-Streit slit-lamps because of alignment incompatibility between the oculars of the slit-lamp and the camera. Digital stereoscopic 3D slit-lamp photography is feasible using a compact 3D digital camera and compatible slit-lamp design. Images obtained using this technique may be helpful in clinical education.