Smartphones in ophthalmology

The increased utilization of medical applications for smartphones provides new opportunities for doctors, including ophthalmologists. In this study, we examined the availability of ophthalmological applications in the two largest smartphone app stores (Apple App store and Android Play Store) and then proposed a classification for smartphone ophthalmological applications according to their functionalities. In November 2012, we searched the Apple App Store and the Android Play Store for ophthalmological themed applications, using numerous ophthalmological keywords. We excluded applications that were not ophthalmology-related. We identified 342 ophthalmological applications. There were two main categories in ophthalmological applications: those for ophthalmologists, and those for patients. There are numerous benefits of smartphone use for ophthalmologists as well as their patients. Ophthalmological applications are turning cell phones into medical devices. In addition, smartphones may play a very important role in patient education, self-monitoring, and low-vision aids via magnifying systems.