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Techniques Camera adapter for anterior segment slitlamp photography Chris J. McLean, FRCOphth, Charalambos M. Tossounis, MBBS, George M. Saleh, MRCSEd, MRCOphth We describe an original, affordable and readily accessible slit lamp camera adapter. This is easily assembled from parts already available in most eye units, allowing ready access to anterior seg- ment photography, using both digital and analog cameras. J Cataract Refract Surg 2006; 32:1889–1891 Q 2006 ASCRS and ESCRS Capturing images of ophthalmic conditions for documen- tation, monitoring treatment progression, teaching, or medico-legal purposes is useful, but due to the high price of photographic systems and the dedicated adapters re- quired, this clinical tool is frequently underutilized. 1,2 Compact, inexpensive digital cameras can be used to take slitlamp photographs by focusing directly through the slitlamp eye piece. 3 However, it can be difficult to align the camera, and the photograph may suffer from vignetting. We describe an adapter that captures good quality im- agery of the anterior segment. It is composed of parts read- ily available in most eye units, the cost is minimal, and the assembly process is simple. The adapter can be used for dig- ital and analog photography together with several different slitlamps. It is a cost-saving tool that will not compromise image quality. SLITLAMP ADAPTER The adapter has 2 main parts: a T-mount for the camera (digital single lens reflex [SLR]) and a cylinder for attach- ment to the slitlamp oculus. Assembly and Use of the Camera Adapter The main part of the adapter consists of a blue cap taken from a bottle containing 1000 mL of sterile water for irrigation (Figure 1, A). The blue cap is detached, leav- ing both ends open. A portion of the bottle at the nozzle end, measuring 22 mm in height from the tip, is cut off (Fig- ure 1, B). The T-mount for the camera (52 mm) is fit on the wider end of the blue cap and pressed into place (Figure 1, C). For different T-mounts, a tighter fit can be achieved by trimming the bottle cap where the T-mount joins it. The eye piece from the slitlamp is then advanced through the cap and secured by the white plastic internal nozzle screw that was cut off the bottle (Figure 2, A and B). The camera is fit to the T-mount and the slitlamp ocular, now protruding through the narrow end of the blue cap, is advanced into a Haag-Streit BM 900 slitlamp microscope slot (Figure 2, C). The camera adapter is substantial enough to stabilize and carry the weight of the full-sized digital SLR camera used. Figure 3 shows several photographs of the anterior seg- ment taken with the system. DISCUSSION The photographs captured by the adapter were of good quality, and the device was simple to assemble and use. In Accepted for publication August 23, 2006. From the Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, United Kingdom. Presented as a poster at the World Congress of Ophthalmology, Sa ˜o Paulo, Brazil, February 2006. Corresponding author: Charalambos M. Tossounis, MBBS, Depart- ment of Ophthalmology, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Egerton Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XX, United Kingdom. E-mail: [email protected]. Q 2006 ASCRS and ESCRS Published by Elsevier Inc. 0886-3350/06/$-see front matter doi:10.1016/j.jcrs.2006.08.019 1889 J CATARACT REFRACT SURG - VOL 32, NOVEMBER 2006

Camera adapter for anterior segment slitlamp photography

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Page 1: Camera adapter for anterior segment slitlamp photography

J CATARACT REFRACT SURG - VOL 32, NOVEMBER 2006

Techniques

Camera adapter for anterior segment

slitlamp photography

Chris J. McLean, FRCOphth, Charalambos M. Tossounis, MBBS, George M. Saleh, MRCSEd, MRCOphth

We describe an original, affordable and readily accessible slit lamp camera adapter. This is easilyassembled from parts already available in most eye units, allowing ready access to anterior seg-ment photography, using both digital and analog cameras.

J Cataract Refract Surg 2006; 32:1889–1891 Q 2006 ASCRS and ESCRS

Capturing images of ophthalmic conditions for documen-

tation, monitoring treatment progression, teaching, or

medico-legal purposes is useful, but due to the high price

of photographic systems and the dedicated adapters re-

quired, this clinical tool is frequently underutilized.1,2

Compact, inexpensive digital cameras can be used totake slitlamp photographs by focusing directly through

the slitlamp eye piece.3 However, it can be difficult to

align the camera, and the photograph may suffer from

vignetting.

We describe an adapter that captures good quality im-

agery of the anterior segment. It is composed of parts read-

ily available in most eye units, the cost is minimal, and the

assembly process is simple. The adapter can be used for dig-ital and analog photography together with several different

slitlamps. It is a cost-saving tool that will not compromise

image quality.

Accepted for publication August 23, 2006.

From the Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Surrey CountyHospital, Guildford, United Kingdom.

Presented as a poster at the World Congress of Ophthalmology,Sao Paulo, Brazil, February 2006.

Corresponding author: Charalambos M. Tossounis, MBBS, Depart-ment of Ophthalmology, Royal Surrey County Hospital, EgertonRoad, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XX, United Kingdom. E-mail:[email protected].

Q 2006 ASCRS and ESCRS

Published by Elsevier Inc.

SLITLAMP ADAPTER

The adapter has 2 main parts: a T-mount for the camera

(digital single lens reflex [SLR]) and a cylinder for attach-

ment to the slitlamp oculus.

Assembly and Use of the Camera Adapter

The main part of the adapter consists of a blue cap

taken from a bottle containing 1000 mL of sterile water

for irrigation (Figure 1, A). The blue cap is detached, leav-

ing both ends open. A portion of the bottle at the nozzle

end, measuring 22 mm in height from the tip, is cut off (Fig-

ure 1, B). The T-mount for the camera (52 mm) is fit on the

wider end of the blue cap and pressed into place (Figure 1,

C). For different T-mounts, a tighter fit can be achieved bytrimming the bottle cap where the T-mount joins it.

The eye piece from the slitlamp is then advanced

through the cap and secured by the white plastic internal

nozzle screw that was cut off the bottle (Figure 2, A and

B). The camera is fit to the T-mount and the slitlamp ocular,

now protruding through the narrow end of the blue cap, is

advanced into a Haag-Streit BM 900 slitlamp microscope

slot (Figure 2, C). The camera adapter is substantial enoughto stabilize and carry the weight of the full-sized digital SLR

camera used.

Figure 3 shows several photographs of the anterior seg-

ment taken with the system.

DISCUSSION

The photographs captured by the adapter were of good

quality, and the device was simple to assemble and use. In

0886-3350/06/$-see front matterdoi:10.1016/j.jcrs.2006.08.019

1889

Page 2: Camera adapter for anterior segment slitlamp photography

ASI: CAMERA ADAPTER FOR ANTERIOR SEGMENT SLITLAMP PHOTOGRAPHY

Figure 1. (A, B, C) Assembly of the camera adapter. A: The plastic 1000 ml bottle with the blue cap. B: Measurement for the creation of the nozzle screw that

secures the eye piece at the adapter. C: The plastic adapter with the T-mount and the nozzle screw.

Figure 2. (A, B, C) Implementation of the camera adapter. A: The eye piece is advanced through the adapter. B: The plastic nozzle screw secures the eye piece

at the adapter. C: The camera with the adapter and the eye piece is mounted at the slit lamp.

Figure 3. Images obtained with the camera adapter.

J CATARACT REFRACT SURG - VOL 32, NOVEMBER 20061890

Page 3: Camera adapter for anterior segment slitlamp photography

ASI: CAMERA ADAPTER FOR ANTERIOR SEGMENT SLITLAMP PHOTOGRAPHY

this instance, a digital camera was used, but it is possible

to use an analog camera if the appropriate T-mount is

obtained.

The cost of photographic adapters for slitlamps can be

prohibitive, so the described plastic adapter, which can be

put together from a used bottle of saline and a cameraT-mount that costs approximately $20, is an affordable al-

ternative for ophthalmologists worldwide, especially those

in developing countries or places where resources are limited.

J CATARACT REFRACT SURG

REFERENCES

1. Kwan A. A simple slit lamp digital photographic system. Eye News 2000;

6:18–22

2. Raman S. A simple digital photographic system for ophthalmologists.

Eye News 2005; 12:38–43; Available at: http://www.pinpointmedical.

com/eye_news/article_archive/misc/AS05_digital.pdf. Accessed Au-

gust 18, 2006

3. Doan AP, Boland MV, Oetting TA. Make the most of digital cameras.

EyeNet 2005; 9(4):31–32

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