Cobalt blue light unit filter - A smartphone attachment for blue light photography

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to carry out blue light photography of fluorescein-stained corneas using a novel smartphone attachment. METHODS: A smartphone attachment known as the cobalt blue light unit (C-BLU) was developed. It can filter out all wavelengths of light except the blue light emerging from the flashlight of a smartphone. A pilot study was carried out wherein the images captured with the C-BLU system were compared with slit-lamp photographs of the same patients. This setup was then used to photo document fluorescein-stained corneas in various clinical settings assembled at point-of-care. RESULTS: Many pathologies of the fluorescein-stained cornea were captured using the C-BLU filter. It was used effectively in various settings (remote eye camps, intensive care units (ICU), pediatric group, corneal trauma triaging, etc.). C-BLU was assembled and used by optometrists and ophthalmology residents. The images captured were used for documenting, assisting in the treatment, and also for telecommunication of the patients’ findings. CONCLUSION: C-BLU is a low-cost pocket-size filter which is easy to use with a modern smartphone without any technical expertise needed to obtain a clear image of fluorescein-stained pathological corneas.