Fundus imaging plays a crucial role in diagnosing and monitoring various eye diseases, including diabetic retinopathy. However, in many low- and middle-income countries, access to conventional retinal imaging equipment remains limited due to high costs and infrastructure requirements. Additionally, publicly available image datasets for doctors, researchers, and clinicians remain scarce, particularly for images captured with portable fundus cameras.
In this context, portable fundus cameras like the Eyer have emerged as a more accessible and cost-effective solution for eye screening and disease management. Mounted onto a smartphone, the Eyer captures high-quality retinal images in minutes—without requiring pupil dilation.
These devices can be used in a variety of settings beyond hospitals, such as community health screenings and remote telemedicine consultations. Additionally, they record detailed metadata typically unavailable in other datasets, including patient age, sex, diabetes duration, treatments, and comorbidities.
Recently, Scientific Data, a journal from the Nature portfolio, published the article “A portable retina fundus photos dataset for clinical, demographic, and diabetic retinopathy prediction,” introducing mBREST: the first publicly available diabetic retinopathy dataset captured using handheld fundus cameras in real-world, high-burden environments. Among the authors of the study are ophthalmologist Fernando Korn Malerbi and Phelcom’s CEO, José Augusto Stuchi.
Fundus images captured with Eyer during the Itabuna Diabetes Campaign, held in 2022, highlighting the attention map generated by EyerMaps, indicating possible anomalies.
mBRSET: A Groundbreaking Dataset
mBREST consists of 5,164 from 1,291 patients of diverse backgrounds, all captured with the Eyer device during the 2022 Itabuna Diabetes Campaign in Bahia. Recognized as one of the world’s largest diabetes prevention and treatment initiatives, this campaign provides hundreds of patients with vital screenings—such as fundus examinations—and referrals for specialized treatment.
Exam performed with Eyer during the Itabuna Diabetes Campaign, held in 2022.
To validate the utility of mBRES, state-of-the-art deep learning models were trained for benchmarking, demonstrating high accuracy in diagnosing diabetic retinopathy and macular edema, as well as predicting demographic data.
An analysis of 4,885 assessed images revealed that 3,759 images (76.79%) showed no signs of diabetic retinopathy (DR), 272 images (5.56%) indicated mild non-proliferative DR, 570 images (11.64%) exhibited moderate non-proliferative DR, 82 images (1.67%) showed severe non-proliferative DR, 427 images (8.69%) displayed signs of macular edema.
A Milestone for Ocular Health and Scientific Research
The significance of the mBREST dataset can be outlined in 5 key aspects:
Representing Brazil’s Diverse Population
mBREST helps reduce the underrepresentation of low- and middle-income country (LMIC) populations in ophthalmological datasets by including individuals from various ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds in Brazil.
The First Public Dataset with Portable Camera Images
This is the first publicly available dataset featuring images captured with portable fundus cameras, reflecting the increasing adoption of this technology in resource-limited settings.
Data Collection in Real-World, High-Demand Environments
Images were captured in high-volume clinical settings, ensuring the dataset accurately represents real-world challenges in eye disease screening and management.
Inclusion of Detailed Demographic Data
mBRSET goes beyond retinal images, incorporating information such as gender, education level, and health insurance status. This enables researchers to evaluate AI algorithm performance across different subpopulations.
A Foundation for AI Development in Ophthalmology
This dataset serves as a critical resource for training and validating AI algorithms, fostering advancements in automated screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of diabetic retinopathy and other eye conditions.
Phelcom CEO José Augusto Stuchi emphasizes the dataset’s impact on the scientific and medical communities:
“The creation of this mBREST marks a significant milestone in ocular health, particularly for regions with limited resources. By providing high-quality images captured with portable devices, we expand research opportunities and accelerate the development of AI-driven solutions that can revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases.”
Diego Lencione, co-founder and CTO of Phelcom, Flavio Pascoal Vieira, co-founder and COO of Phelcom, Paulo Prado, coordinator of Mobile Software and AI at Phelcom, and José Augusto Stuchi, co-founder and CEO of Phelcom, during the Itabuna Diabetes Campaign, held in 2022.
Eyer
The Eyer is a portable fundus camera that attaches to a smartphone, enabling high-quality retina exams in just minutes—without the need for pupil dilation.
The technology supports the diagnosis of more than 50 diseases, including: glaucoma, cataracts, diabectic retinopathy, retinoblastoma, hypertensive retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity, ocular toxoplasmosis.
Recently, Phelcom launched Eyer2, an enhanced version of the device featuring new built-in tools for expanded diagnostic capabilities. In addition to posterior eye imaging, Eyer2 enables the detection of anterior segment conditions such as: blepharitis and other eyelash abnormalities, meibomian gland dysfunction, styes, conjunctival and eyelid tumors, advanced cataracts, foreign bodies and burns, corneal injuries, keratitis caused by dry eye, contact lenses, infections and ulcers.
About Phelcom
Phelcom Technologies is a Brazilian medtech company based in São Carlos, São Paulo. Founded in 2016 by three young researches—a physicist, an electronics engineer, and a computer engineer—the company developed a portable retinal camera integrated with a smart phone.
The first prototype was inspired by co-founder Diego Lencione’s personal experience, as his brother struggled with a severe vision condition from childhood.
In 2019, Phelcom launched its first product, the Eyer portable retinal camera, in Brazil. Five years later, the company introduced theEyer2, a comprehensive eye examination platform capable of capturing high-quality images of both the posterior and anterior segments.
To date, Phelcom’s technology has benefited over two million people across Brazil and multiple countries, including the United States, Japan, Chile, Colombia and the United Arab Emirates. It has also been used in over 100 social outreach initiatives.
The year 2024 was a milestone of significant achievements and progress for Phelcom Technologies. With new product launches, technological advancements, and impactful social initiatives, the company reinforced its dedication to revolutionizing ophthalmology through innovation and accessibility.
From the launch of Eyer2, a visual examination platform that has set a new quality standard for portable fundus imaging, to the upgrade of EyerCloud, designed to enhance the user experience, Phelcom has consistently demonstrated it’s commitment to pioneering efficient and integrated solutions.
Initiatives like the “Eyes to the Future” competition and the 6th Brazil Eyer Insights showcased the company’s social and educational impact, advancing eye health and supporting professional development across Brazil.
Discover this year’s highlights and how Phelcom continues to expand its innovative technology beyond national borders, striving for a future with improved eye care for all.
Eyer2 launch
The launch took place simultaneously at the North-Northeast Ophthalmology Congress (CNNO), in Maceió (AL), and at Refrativa R.I.O 2024, in Rio de Janeiro (RJ). Three months after its debut in Brazil, Eyer2 was presented at Optometry’s Meeting in the United States.
In March, Phelcom launched Eyer2 in Brazil, an advanced platform for visual examinations that allows for high quality imaging of both the posterior and anterior segment.
The new equipment offers color, red-free and infrared fundus imaging with a 55º field of view along with tools for capturing images of the anterior segment. These include various light modes for examining the ocular and periocular surfaces, detecting corneal lesions with cobalt blue light and performing meibography using infrared light.
The launch took place simultaneously at the North-Northeast Ophthalmology Congress (CNNO), in Maceió (AL), and at Refrativa R.I.O 2024, in Rio de Janeiro (RJ).
“The Eyer 2 represents a new concept in portable equipment. With this product, we aim to strengthen our position of excellence in the market, reach a greater number of doctors and cover various areas of ophthalmology. In this way, we can have a positive impact on the vision of more people, thus fulfilling our mission as a company,” said Phelcom’s Co-Founder and CTO, Diego Lencione, during the launch.
Three months after its debut in Brazil, Eyer2 was introduced to the international market at Optometry’s Meeting in the United States, highlighting Phelcom’s dedication to extending innovation beyond national borders.
2nd Eyes on the Future
The launch featured prominent attendees, including ABLAO’S President Pedro Pires, Outreach Director Augusto César, Phelcom’s Co-Founder and CEO José Augusto Stuchi, and Fernando Penha, a retinologist and professor of Ophthalmology at FURB.
In August, the second edition of the “Eyes to the Future” competition was officially launched, organized by the Brazilian Association of Academic Ophthalmology Leagues (ABLAO) in partnership with Phelcom Technologies and with the support of the Brazilian Ophthalmology Council (CBO).
The competition selected 10 projects focused on reducing blindness caused by posterior segment pathology through fundus examinations, telemedicine and artificial intelligence. To support the participants, Phelcom provided 20 Eyer portable fundus cameras, complete with access to the EyerMaps and EyerCloud platforms.
In addition to improving the diagnosis of retinal pathology and patient referrals, the competition seeks to enhance undergraduate ophthalmology education, foster creativity and volunteerism, promote hands-on practice, develop management and project creation skills and encourage the adoption of new technology for medical education and health advancement.
The winners will be awarded during the ABLAO session at the Moacyr Álvaro International Symposium (SIMASP) on February 22nd in São Paulo. The winning project will receive an Eyer from Phelcom and an invitation to present the project at the ABLAO session at the Brazilian Ophthalmology Congress (CBO) 2025. The second and third place winners will also each receive an Eyer.
6th Brazil Eyer Insights
The sixth edition discussed the topic “Photodocumentation in Ophthalmology: from fundus image to oculoplastics”.
In October, Phelcom held the 6th Eyer Insights, a series of free webinars that brings together renowned experts to debate relevant topics in ophthalmology.
This edition’s theme, “Photodocumentation in Ophthalmology: From fundus image to Oculoplastics,” emphasized the practical use of Eyer and Eyer2 portable fundus cameras in documenting clinical cases. The event highlighted how fundus imaging, meibography, and anterior segment documentation serve as indispensable tools for enhancing diagnostic accuracy and improving doctor-patient communication.
The panel of speakers included renowned professionals such as:
Eduardo Marback, ophthalmologist specializing in cataract surgery, ocular oncology and ocular pathology; PhD from Unifesp and adjunct professor of ophthalmology at UFBA.
Paulo Schor, ophthalmologist specializing in lens implant surgery and ocular lasers; associate professor at Unifesp and innovation manager at Fapesp.
Simone Milani Brandão, ophthalmologist specializing in ocular plastic surgery and lacrimal pathways; PhD in general bases of surgery from the Botucatu Medical School – Unesp and lecturer at UFSCar.
Diego Lencione, Co-Founder & CTO of Phelcom Technologies.
Amanda Arthur, Marketing and Sales Director at Phelcom Technologies.
The panel highlighted how Phelcom’s innovative technologies have expanded diagnostic possibilities in ophthalmology, offering more efficiency and precision in eye care.
New EyerCloud launched
EyerCloud is an online platform developed to optimize the management of ophthalmic exams, offering more security, efficiency and practicality to ophthalmologists and healthcare professionals.
In November, Phelcom unveiled the upgraded EyerCloud, an advanced online platform for managing ophthalmic examinations performed with the Eyer and Eyer2 portable fundus cameras. Featuring significant improvements in data security, accessibility, and design, the new version enhances the user experience, streamlines workflow, and accelerates diagnoses, catering to the needs of doctors and healthcare professionals.
Key updates to EyerCloud include the ability to view exams in either a gallery or list format, simplified editing fields and a refreshed design featuring more prominent buttons and intuitive navigation. Additionally, users can now conveniently register patients and link exams directly through the platform.
“We applied the new design language already present in Eyer2, unifying the Eyercloud interface with that of the device. Our aim is to offer an equally efficient and agile user experience on both platforms”, explains Phelcom’s marketing consultant and product designer, Edgard Regolão Junior.
About Phelcom
Phelcom Technologies is a Brazilian medtech company based in São Carlos, the interior of São Paulo. The company’s story began in 2016, when three young researchers – a physicist, an electronics engineer and a computer engineer (Physics, Electronics, Computing) – created a fundus camera integrated with a smartphone.
Phelcom’s first prototype was inspired by the personal experience of one of the partners, Diego Lencione, whose brother faced a serious condition that severely compromised his vision since childhood.
In 2019, Phelcom launched its first product to the Brazilian market: the Eyer portable fundus camera. Five years later, it launched the Eyer2, a visual examination platform that makes it possible to document the posterior and anterior segments with high quality images.
Today, Phelcom’s technology has benefited more than two million people worldwide, and has also been used in more than 100 social projects.
In November, Phelcom launched an upgraded version of Eyercloud, the online platform for managing ophthalmic examinations conducted using Eyer and Eyer2 portable fundus cameras. With significant advancements in data security, accessibility and design, the new version enhances the user experience, streamlines processes, and accelerates diagnoses, effectively meeting the needs of doctors and healthcare professionals.
Key updates in the new Eyercloud include the ability to view exams in grid or list format, simplified editing fields, and a refreshed design with more visible buttons and intuitive navigation. Additionally, users can now register patients and associate exams directly through the platform.
“We applied the new design language already present in Eyer2, unifying the Eyercloud interface with that of the device. Our aim is to offer an equally efficient and agile user experience on both platforms”, explains Phelcom’s marketing consultant and product designer, Edgard Regolão Junior.
Junior also emphasizes one of the key enhancements: the immediate display of retinal images on the homepage. “When the user accesses the platform, they can see the latest images and exams taken. This facilitates the quick analysis of the verification and classification already done by EyerMaps. This artificial intelligence detects possible abnormalities in seconds and displays a heatmap on the images. This feature speeds up the identification of alterations and allows professionals to make faster and more accurate diagnoses,” he adds.
Accessibility and security
Enhanced navigation is one of the most significant changes in EyerCloud. The platform is now simpler and faster to access, requiring fewer clicks and eliminating unnecessary steps. Additionally, data entry has been streamlined, allowing users to add, edit, and save information more intuitively and efficiently, making the tool more user-friendly for everyday use.
“The system has also been updated to enhance security, ensuring compliance with information and data protection regulations.,” says Phelcom’s Data Engineering Manager, Fernando Mineo Raze Yamanaka.
All the information stored on EyerCloud is protected by Amazon Web Services (AWS), a world reference in cloud solutions. The platform also strictly follows HIPAA guidelines (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), guaranteeing maximum data protection and reliability.
Continuous improvement and customer support
EyerCloud facilitates communication with patients by displaying and sharing exams in a clear and accessible way.
Customers who have questions or suggestions can count on Phelcom’s support for quick and efficient assistance.
Yamanaka explains that the company keeps an organized list of user feedback and requests, prioritizing the most requested improvements to optimize the platform’s ongoing development. “We will continue to invest in improvements following this feedback. EyerCloud will become increasingly dynamic, with new features, filters and search methods to make it even easier for professionals to work with it”.
EyerCloud: safe and efficient management of ophthalmic exams
EyerCloud is an online platform designed to streamline the management of ophthalmic exams, delivering enhanced security, efficiency and convenience. Featuring an intuitive and user-friendly interface, the system enables seamless storage and sharing of exams and reports conducted with the Eyer and Eyer2 portable fundus cameras. Automatic synchronization ensures data is securely uploaded to the cloud, offering both reliability and accessibility.
This integration streamlines the workflow for healthcare professionals by ensuring exams are always accessible, well-organized, and securely protected. It also facilitates swift communication and efficient monitoring of results.
Discover the advantages of EyerCloud:
Connectivity
The platform is easily accessible via an Eyer or Eyer2 device, smartphone, tablet or computer. Even without an internet connection, exams are automatically saved and seamlessly uploaded to the cloud once internet connection is restored. Additionally, EyerCloud is fully compatible with leading electronic medical record systems, enabling smooth integration into the workflow of clinics and hospitals.
Artificial Inteligence
When integrated with EyerMaps, EyerCloud displays exams using a color-coded system to identify potential alterations, simplifying the prioritization of urgent cases:
Green: low probability of alteration (up to 30%).
Yellow: medium probability of alteration (31% to 70%).
Red: high probability of alteration (71% to 100%).
Transparency
Facilitate communication with patients by displaying and sharing exams in a clear and accessible way. EyerCloud enhances understanding of diagnoses and treatment progress, fostering greater patient trust and engagement.
Mobility
With EyerCloud, healthcare professionals can carry out examinations in the field while ophthalmologists report remotely, from anywhere in the world. This flexibility extends the reach of ophthalmic services and speeds up care.
One of the main improvements in the new EyerCloud is the immediate display of retinal images on the home page.
Security
The data stored in EyerCloud is protected by Amazon Web Services (AWS) infrastructure, guaranteeing maximum security and compliance with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). In addition, the platform allows you to manage different levels of access, ensuring that each professional only sees the information they need.
About Phelcom
Phelcom Technologies is a Brazilian medtech company based in São Carlos, the interior of São Paulo. The company’s story began in 2016, when three young researchers – a physicist, an electronics engineer and a computer engineer (Physics, Electronics, Computing) – created a fundus camera integrated with a smartphone.
Phelcom’s first prototype was inspired by the personal experience of one of the partners, Diego Lencione, whose brother faced a serious condition that severely compromised his vision since childhood.
In 2019, Phelcom launched its first product to the Brazilian market: the Eyer portable fundus camera. Five years later, it launched the Eyer2, a visual examination platform that makes it possible to document the posterior and anterior segments with high quality images.
Today, Phelcom’s technology has benefited more than two million people worldwide, and has also been used in more than 100 social projects.
Dr. Simone Brandão, an ophthalmologist and professor at the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), has been using the Eyer fundus camera for over two years. Since then, she has conducted over 5,000 exams at her clinic, in classrooms, at the São Carlos Teaching Hospital, and as part of a social project developed by the Academic League of Ophthalmology at UFSCar.
Due to her extensive use of the device, Phelcom invited Dr. Brandão to test Eyer2, a comprehensive visual examination platform that captures high-quality images of both the posterior and anterior segments.
The increase in the field of view (FOV) of retinal images from 45° to 55° now allows for the photo documentation of the ocular and periocular surface in a single image, reducing the need for multiple shots. Additionally, the device’s flash is more patient-friendly, enhancing the overall examination experience,” explains Brandão, a specialist in oculoplastic surgery.
With new embedded tools and improved features, the new equipment makes it possible to detect various diseases and conditions of the anterior segment of the eye, such as blepharitis and other eyelash alterations, meibomian gland dysfunction, styes, conjunctival tumors, eyelid tumors, advanced cataracts, foreign bodies, burns, corneal lesions and general keratitis caused by dry eye, contact lenses, infections and ulcers, among others.
Cases
Brandão recently encountered a patient with a welding burn. “I took the photo with the Eyer2 and showed the patient how his eye looked when he didn’t wear the goggles during welding,” she says.
In another case, a patient reported that she had hit her eye with a leaf, but had not hurt herself. Much to the patient’s surprise, the ophthalmologist carried out an examination and detected an eye injury. In another situation, a patient developed an ulcer after his son threw water in his eyes while playing in the pool.
Eyer2 examination of a patient with an eye ulcer after playing in the pool with his son.
Dr. Brandão uses the portable fundus camera during all her appointments, allowing patients to view their own fundus in real-time during the examination. “Real-time imaging not only educates but also motivates patients, helping them better understand their condition which enhances their commitment to treatment and recovery,” Dr. Brandão explains.
The exams are documented instantly on EyerCloud, a cloud platform. At subsequent appointments, the doctor reviews the images and shows the before and after of the treatment. “After an operation, a patient said that the suture in her eye was imperceptible. I took the picture and we could perfectly see the 10-0 thread, which is thinner than a strand of hair,” she recalls.
For Brandão, the platform speeds up the process of issuing reports and allows exams to be accessed and shared quickly, facilitating communication with other health professionals, students and the patient themselves. “On one occasion, a colleague requested tests for a patient hospitalized at the São Carlos Teaching Hospital. I accessed EyerCloud remotely, issued the report, and shared it instantly.”
Before adopting Eyer, Dr. Brandão would often search for images on Google to explain conditions to her patients. Now, she accesses EyerCloud to display real, relevant images that depict both healthy eyes and those with specific diseases.
New features
The doctor also highlights the practicality of Eyer2’s magnetized connection module, which makes it easier to change modules during exams and does not detach from the equipment, making the process more efficient and precise.
Infrared light and cobalt light are also new features in the Eyer2 portable fundus camera, which the ophthalmologist has already used. “For example, sometimes in a blepharoplasty post-surgery, complications such as keratitis can occur. I apply the fluorescein and take the photo with the cobalt light so that the patient understands the picture. What’s more, this combination of techniques allows for a more precise and detailed assessment of eye conditions, helping with diagnosis, treatment and patient follow-up,” she adds.
Cobalt light examination with the Eyer2 of a patient with an eye ulcer after playing in the pool with his son.
Infrared light helps to detect changes in the choroid as it penetrates deeper into the structures in the back of the eye, and to perform meibography. This test, which assesses the meibomian glands located in the eyelid, is essential in the investigation of dry eye syndrome, a disease that affects 26 million people in Brazil alone, according to the Brazilian Ophthalmology Society (SBO).
Home care
For Brandão, another advantage of the Eyer2 is the image quality of the anterior and posterior segments in unfavorable situations, such as home care. “I have a patient who is bedridden and I went to do the exams at her home. With the Eyer2, you practically have a hand-held slit lamp, as it enables clear and detailed visualization of the eyelid region, conjunctiva and eyelashes, even in a room where the light was not ideal”.
Beyond home care, Dr. Brandão also utilizes the device at the teaching hospital and university. “After the students had undergone various examinations, I had to contact Phelcom’s technical assistance to resolve a specific issue. Immediately, the team accessed it remotely, but the equipment had to go back to the factory. I was without it for a few days and then I realized that I could no longer live without Eyer,” she jokes.
Dr. Brandão notes that, beyond its superior image quality, Eyer2 has significantly accelerated her consultations by often eliminating the need for mydriasis. “Now, I use this extra time to explain the results and treatments to patients, who also no longer have to spend hours in the office waiting for the eye drops to take effect or go elsewhere for the fundus imaging and then return with the results.”
Examination with Eyer2 by Dr Brandão shows a wart on the edge of the PSE.
Eyer2
Eyer2’s portable fundus camera is equipped with cutting-edge features designed to simplify clinical workflow and elevate diagnostic accuracy. Infrared light assists in detecting choroidal changes and performing meibography, while cobalt blue light aids in identifying corneal lesions. This technology allows for the detection of numerous anterior segment conditions, including blepharitis, meibomian gland dysfunction, eyelid tumors, and keratitis.
The Eyer2 platform is a game-changer in clinical practice, offering streamlined examinations, comprehensive diagnostic capabilities, and powerful technological tools that enhance patient care.
Key features include:
Single-click registration
Ergonomic design for enhanced comfort during examinations
Portable imaging platform offering six distinct recording modalities, without the need for pupil dilation
High-quality 55° color fundus imaging for detecting peripheral retinal lesions;
Instant red-free imaging following color capture
Posterior segment imaging with infrared light, crucial for assessing deeper retinal areas without patient discomfort, such as choroidal nevus and evaporative dry eye
3D effect of the optic disc
Panoramic retinal image up to 120°
High-definition documentation of the ocular surface for disease monitoring;
Cobalt blue light for corneal lesion assessment
Portability for use in various clinical settings, remote areas, and for bedridden or neonatal patients
Seamless integration with EyerMaps, an AI-driven tool that highlights potential retinal anomalies in seconds
Connectivity with EyerCloud, an online platform for managing examinations.
About Phelcom
Phelcom Technologies is a Brazilian medtech company based in São Carlos, in the interior area of São Paulo. The company’s story began in 2016, when three young researchers – a physicist, an electronics engineer and a computer engineer (physics, electronics, computing) – created a portable fundus camera integrated with a smartphone.
The first prototype project was born from partner Diego Lencione’s interest in visual health, as his brother has a condition that has severely compromised his retina and vision since childhood.
In 2019, Phelcom launched its first product on the Brazilian market: the Eyer portable fundus camera. Today, the technology has reached more than two million people throughout Brazil and in the countries where it is present and has been used in more than 100 community screenings.
The Meibomian glands, located in the tarsal plates of the eyelids, play a crucial role in producing the lipid layer of the tear film—the outermost layer of the tear film. This layer is essential for stabilizing the tear film, preventing tear evaporation, and maintaining the homeostasis of the ocular surface. Dysfunction of the Meibomian glands (MGD) disrupts tear film stability, leading to ocular surface imbalance.
MGD results from altered meibomian secretion quality, gland dropout, and/or ductal obstruction. One of the most effective tests for assessing Meibomian gland morphology is Meibography, a technique that provides in vivo visualization of these glands.
Propaedeutic evaluation of dry eye: beyond Meibography
Dry eye diagnostic tests include evaluating tear film stability and volume, ocular surface damage with vital dyes such as fluorescein or rose bengal, lid assessments, and Meibomian gland examination.
Meibography using infrared light with the Eyer2 portable fundus camera.Meibography with the Eyer2 portable fundus camera and anterior segment module.
Phelcom has recently revolutionized this field by incorporating infrared imaging into its new Eyer2 portable device, making meibography more practical. The Eyer2’s anterior segment module enables both meibography and examinations for corneal and conjunctival epithelial cell changes using cobalt blue light and fluorescein.
Corneal damage imaging with the Eyer2 fundus camera and fluorescein.
For a comprehensive dry eye diagnosis, other clinical evaluations such as the Schirmer test are recommended to differentiate between aqueous-deficient and evaporative dry eye.
Additional applications of Meibography
Meibography is also valuable in preoperative evaluations for refractive surgery, as dry eye, often linked to MGD, is a common postoperative complication. This exam provides preoperative documentation and gland monitoring, as well as patient education.
Furthermore, meibography can be utilized to assess eyelid impairment due to contact lens wear, allergic conjunctivitis reactions, antiglaucoma treatments, and other clinical conditions.
Eyer2
Phelcom proudly introduces the Eyer2, a versatile visual examination platform that delivers high-quality imaging of both the posterior and anterior segments.
This new equipment offers color and red-free fundus imaging with a new 55º field of view, along with tools for anterior segment imaging using various light sources, including cobalt blue light for corneal lesion assessment and infrared light for meibography.
Eyer2 with new anterior segment module
About Phelcom
Phelcom Technologies is a Brazilian medtech company based in São Carlos, in the interior area of São Paulo. The company’s story began in 2016, when three young researchers – a physicist, an electronics engineer and a computer engineer (physics, electronics, computing) – created a portable fundus camera integrated with a smartphone.
The first prototype project was born from Diego Lencione’s interest in visual health, as his brother has a condition that has severely compromised his retina and vision since childhood.
In 2019, Phelcom launched its first product on the Brazilian market: the Eyer portable fundus camera. Today, the technology has reached more than two million people throughout Brazil and in the countries where it is present and has been used in more than 100 community screenings.
Fontes: Wolffsohn et al. TFOS DEWS II Diagnostic Methodology report 2017 Magno et al. Hot towels: The bedrock of Meibomian gland dysfunction treatment – A review Arita. Meibography: A Japanese Perspective Reiko. 2018
Results of Renovatio, a non-profit organization that brings visual health and prescription glasses to those who need them the most, saw more than 410,000 eye treatments in 25 Brazilian states and three countries. They also donated more than 180,000 glasses.
According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), one in six Brazilians has a vision problem. With an adapted 100m² bus, transformed into two modern mobile eye clinics, Renovatio is able to serve medical deserts, such as remote towns, indigenous villages and riverside communities.
“We believe that the most difficult places to reach are the ones that need us the most. Today, 71% of Brazilian municipalities don’t even have an ophthalmologist,” says ophthalmologist and Renovatio’s medical director, Bruna Gil Ferreira.
Since 2022, Renovatio has been using the Eyer portable fundus camera to screen patients. They currently have almost 50 units. The main factors for choosing Eyer were its portability, the fact that it is a Brazilian product and the EyerCloud cloud platform, which allows exams to be stored and shared remotely and in real time.
“The possibility of sending the images for analysis and getting immediate medical consultations, even in remote areas, contributes to a more agile and effective assessment of patients. Sometimes I’m in São Paulo and I can access, in real time, the examination of a patient being treated in the Xingu Indigenous Park,” Ferreira points out.
Renovatio invested in Eyer because of the EyerCloud cloud platform, among other factors.
During the exams, the team evaluates the visual acuity, tonometry, keratometry and uses Eyer for fundus examinations. When Eyermaps artificial intelligence system detects possible retinal alterations, the patient is referred for a medical consultation with a specialist.
If an alteration is suspected, the AI generates a new image with a heatmap highlighting potential retinal abnormalities. The system can help detect diseases like glaucoma, Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, hypertensive retinopathy, vascular tortuosity, occlusions, papilledema, retinitis pigmentosa,nevus, and many more.
Ferreira points out that most social work in the ophthalmology area follows protocols based only on visual acuity and, as a result, other diseases are not diagnosed. “Including Eyer in our protocol has contributed greatly to identifying silent diseases that can go unnoticed in screenings focused only on vision.”
A child being examined with Eyer during a social action by the NGO Renovatio.
Chorioretinitis caused by toxoplasmosis
By storing all the fundus images in EyerCloud, Renovatio carried out a comparative study of the frequency of chorioretinitis scars caused by toxoplasmosis in different regions of Brazil.
In total, 9,648 fundus images were evaluated:
Distrito Federal (DF) – 2.496;
Tocantins (TO) – 2.426;
São Paulo (SP) – 1.862;
Minas Gerais (MG) – 1.602;
Rio Grande do Norte (RN) – 742;
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – 502.
The majority of exams (89.04%) showed no alterations. Of the 10.95% of images with alterations, 7.09% contained suspicions and confirmations of chorioretinitis scars:
Tocantins (TO) – 62,7%;
Minas Gerais (MG) – 14,7%;
Distrito Federal (DF) – 10,07%;
São Paulo (SP) – 8%;
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – 2,7%;
Rio Grande do Norte (RN) – 1,3%.
Among the results obtained in all states, there was a higher prevalence in women (74.7%) and a higher number of cases in the left eye (37.3%), followed by both eyes (33.3%) and then the right eye (29.3%).
It is also worth noting that the state of Tocantins had the highest incidence of the disease in the left eye (26.7%), in both eyes (17.3%) and in the right eye (18.7% of diagnosed cases).
The use of Eyer integrated with EyerCloud allowed Renovatio to carry out this important mapping, which can help with future management of toxoplasmosis, a pathology that can lead to loss of vision.
NGO Renovatio has already traveled to 25 Brazilian states providing free ophthalmic consultations and donating prescription glasses to those who need them most.
Eyer
Eyer is a portable fundus camera that works with an integrated smartphone to perform high-quality retinal examinations in just a few minutes without the need for pupil dilation.
Currently, more than 15 million tests have been carried out in Brazil, the United States, Chile, Colombia and Japan. The technology is also present in the United Arab Emirates and is in the regulatory process of being marketed in Mexico, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
Phelcom recently launched Eyer2, a true visual examination platform that allows you to capture the posterior and anterior segments with high quality images.
With new embedded tools and improved functions, the new equipment makes it possible to capture various conditions of the anterior segment of the eye, such as blepharitis,eyelash alterations, meibomian gland dysfunction, styes, conjunctival tumors, eyelid tumors, advanced cataracts, foreign bodies, burns, corneal lesions and keratitis in general, caused by dry eye, contact lenses, infections and ulcers.
Portability, connectivity and integration with intelligent functions such as EyerMaps, together with the technology’s affordability, are contributing to increased access to retinal examinations.
About Phelcom
Phelcom Technologies is a Brazilian medtech company based in São Carlos, in the interior area of São Paulo. The company’s story began in 2016, when three young researchers – a physicist, an electronics engineer and a computer engineer (physics, electronics, computing) – created a portable fundus camera integrated with a smartphone.
The first prototype project was born out of partner Diego Lencione’s interest in visual health, as his brother has had a condition that has severely compromised his retina and vision since childhood.
In 2019, Phelcom launched its first product in the Brazilian market: the Eyer portable fundus camera. Today, the technology has reached more than two million people throughout Brazil and in the countries where it is present and has been used in more than 100 community screenings.
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