The role of thermography in ophthalmology

Abstract

Thermography is used to assess the extent and intensity of local hyperaemia and tissue metabolism based on the emitted radiation in the infrared range. In ophthalmology, it is used for the diagnosis of ocular inflammatory conditions. Increased ocular surface temperature is observed in tumours such as melanoma and uveal naevus. Reduced temperature as a result of blood flow disorders is detected in patients with vascular occlusion, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy or AMD. Lower emission of infrared radiation on the ocular surface was observed in dry eye syndrome due to tear film instability and faster tear evaporation. Thermography is a non-invasive, fast and objective technique, and in the future it may complement the diagnostic process of many ophthalmic diseases.