A store-forward ophthalmic telemedicine case report from deployed US Army Forces in Kuwait

This telemedicine test was developed to determine the relative ease with wh ich an off-the-shelf ophthalmic telemedicine package could be successfully applied from within a remote theatre of operations. The project was conduct ed at the Camp Doha Health Clinic, located just outside Kuwait City, during the period from April 12(th) through April 23(rd), 1998. The deployed sign al unit had contracted for a direct T-I commercial satellite link (via MCI) , which allowed for direct internet connectivity using a PCMCIA network car d. Digital images were sent via this connection to 140 e-mail sites through out the world, including an unsolicited image to each of 134 Army optometry officers for their review, analysis, and diagnosis. Return responses to th is unsolicited survey were 53 out of 134, for a 39.7% response rate. Half o f the respondents were able to view the image with ease and clarity, render ing an accurate clinical diagnosis. The other half of the respondents eithe r did not have the software to display an image on their clinical desktop P C, or did not know how to use their provided software. This project clearly indicates that an off-the-shelf ophthalmic digital system can be successfu lly used from a remote deployed site. However, the consulting clinicians re quire up-to-date training, and their computer packages should have as wide a capability base as possible.