Digital innovation is reshaping ophthalmology, introducing new possibilities in diagnosis, monitoring, and care delivery. The field has witnessed major advances, such as automated and semi-automated screening systems for diabetic retinopathy (DR), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), myopia, and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). These technologies, originally developed and validated in research environments, are now being deployed in diverse clinical settings. Teleophthalmology networks, smartphone-based imaging, autonomous AI diagnostic systems, home monitoring devices, and wearable sensors are bridging traditional geographic and economic barriers to vision care. Despite this progress, ongoing challenges remain regarding real-world integration, equity of access, patient experience, and evidence of sustained clinical benefit.
Recent studies support the effectiveness of digital workflows, AI-powered diagnostic algorithms, and teleophthalmology in enhancing early detection, patient follow-up, and chronic disease management. However, gaps persist in clinical adoption, workflow standardization, cost-effectiveness analysis, health system readiness, and the assessment of long-term outcomes. There is active debate about the ethical dimensions of digital eye care, such as data privacy, decision transparency, and ensuring equitable access—particularly across low- and middle-income settings. Discussions continue around regulatory frameworks and the development of universal standards to foster the responsible implementation of these transformative technologies.
This Research Topic aims to explore the real-world deployment of digital health innovations within ophthalmology, emphasizing their translation from proof-of-concept to practice. Specific objectives include assessing digital workflow integration, evaluating patient and provider experiences, exploring the impact on health equity, and analyzing the long-term clinical and economic outcomes of digital tools. The goal is to gather evidence that supports scalable, sustainable, and ethically sound digital solutions that improve vision care for diverse patient populations.
We warmly invite potential contributors to submit manuscripts to this collection, including original research, systematic reviews, literature reviews, perspectives, case series, and implementation reports that address the integration and impact of digital technologies in ophthalmology. Studies should have clear translational or clinical relevance and go beyond purely technical proof-of-concept work, ideally engaging with real-world deployment, workflow, or patient-level outcomes.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
- Telehealth and teleophthalmology - Digital tools and platforms for visual acuity assessment - Digital screening in DR, AMD, ROP, and myopia - Digital technologies in vision health management - Digital eye care, artificial intelligence, and telemedicine - Innovations in the digital ophthalmology landscape - Wearable sensors and home-based monitoring solutions - Ethical, regulatory, and equity considerations in digital ophthalmology - Cost-effectiveness and health system readiness for digital innovation - Implementation challenges in diverse and resource-limited settings
Conflict of interest declaration: Topic Editor Neelam Pawar was a past Research Scholar at Kellogg Eye Centre
Article types and fees
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
Brief Research Report
Case Report
Classification
Clinical Trial
Data Report
Editorial
FAIR² Data
FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
General Commentary
Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.
Article types
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
Brief Research Report
Case Report
Classification
Clinical Trial
Data Report
Editorial
FAIR² Data
FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
General Commentary
Hypothesis and Theory
Methods
Mini Review
Opinion
Original Research
Perspective
Review
Study Protocol
Systematic Review
Technology and Code
Keywords: Digital ophthalmology, Teleophthalmology, Remote monitoring, Telehealth, Digital screening in eye care
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
