Accuracy and Reliability of Telediagnosis Approach for Canine and Feline Ophthalmological Emergencies: A Retrospective Study of 100 Cases.

Email telediagnosis reliably detects ocular pain and provides diagnostic orientation, especially with photographs.

This retrospective study evaluated the effectiveness of email-based telediagnosis for canine and feline ophthalmological emergencies across 100 cases (65 dogs, 35 cats). Four clinicians (one ECVO diplomate and three ECVO residents) provided remote diagnoses based on email communications, which were compared against in-person consultation diagnoses. Ocular pain detection via email achieved 79% sensitivity, significantly improving to 89% when photographs were included (p < 0.01). Inter-operator reproducibility was satisfactory (K = 0.82), and concordance between remote and consultation diagnoses was satisfactory overall (K = 0.85 ± 0.08) but decreased for corneal conditions specifically (K = 0.66 ± 0.16). Photograph quality showed significant positive association with diagnostic concordance (p = 0.01). This pioneering study demonstrates that veterinary teleophthalmology via email is a reliable triage tool and diagnostic aid for ophthalmological emergencies, particularly when supported by quality photographic documentation.

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