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Mobile phone applications used to monitor age-related macular degeneration
1
Department of Health Economics and Health Management, Faculty of Public Health in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
2
Ophthalmology Department, District Municipal Hospital in Ruda Slaska, Poland
Corresponding author
Anna Rogalska
Zakład Ekonomiki i Zarządzania w Ochronie Zdrowia, Wydział Zdrowia Publicznego w Bytomiu, ul. Piekarska 18, 41-902 Bytom
Zakład Ekonomiki i Zarządzania w Ochronie Zdrowia, Wydział Zdrowia Publicznego w Bytomiu, ul. Piekarska 18, 41-902 Bytom
Ann. Acad. Med. Siles. 2025;79:17-23
KEYWORDS
age-related macular degenerationAMDmobile appe-health in ophthalmologymobile patient monitoringmobile healthusability evaluation
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss among elderly individuals. The aim of the study was to analyze the practical value of available mobile applications used to monitor AMD.
Material and methods:
Between March 1–31, 2023, a quantitative and qualitative analysis of smartphone applications – available in Polish and English in the Google Play Store – was conducted using the keywords “age-related macular degeneration” and “AMD”. The analysis included four qualitative criteria, scored on a scale of 0–2 points each: 1) disease monitoring capability, 2) user data protection, 3) availability of verbal instructions, and 4) application usability. Based on the total scores, the applications were classified into five quality levels: very high (8 pts), high (7 pts), medium (6 pts), below medium (5 pts), and low (≤ 4 pts). An ophthalmologist tested each app that met the inclusion criteria.
Results:
Of the 249 identified applications, only 14 met the inclusion criteria for analysis. Among these, two were classified as very high quality, three as high quality (none of which were in Polish), one as medium quality, and eight as low quality. Only two out of the 14 applications addressed AMD patients’ needs, such as vision limitations and the use of verbal instructions.
Conclusions:
The available applications in Polish offered no added value over the traditional paper-based Amsler test. For mobile applications to effectively aid in AMD monitoring, key aspects such as availability (preferably free) and quality, including data security, should be prioritized. Creating evaluation teams that include medical experts, IT specialists, and patient representatives would enhance the development and assessment of AMD-focused mobile applications.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss among elderly individuals. The aim of the study was to analyze the practical value of available mobile applications used to monitor AMD.
Material and methods:
Between March 1–31, 2023, a quantitative and qualitative analysis of smartphone applications – available in Polish and English in the Google Play Store – was conducted using the keywords “age-related macular degeneration” and “AMD”. The analysis included four qualitative criteria, scored on a scale of 0–2 points each: 1) disease monitoring capability, 2) user data protection, 3) availability of verbal instructions, and 4) application usability. Based on the total scores, the applications were classified into five quality levels: very high (8 pts), high (7 pts), medium (6 pts), below medium (5 pts), and low (≤ 4 pts). An ophthalmologist tested each app that met the inclusion criteria.
Results:
Of the 249 identified applications, only 14 met the inclusion criteria for analysis. Among these, two were classified as very high quality, three as high quality (none of which were in Polish), one as medium quality, and eight as low quality. Only two out of the 14 applications addressed AMD patients’ needs, such as vision limitations and the use of verbal instructions.
Conclusions:
The available applications in Polish offered no added value over the traditional paper-based Amsler test. For mobile applications to effectively aid in AMD monitoring, key aspects such as availability (preferably free) and quality, including data security, should be prioritized. Creating evaluation teams that include medical experts, IT specialists, and patient representatives would enhance the development and assessment of AMD-focused mobile applications.
FUNDING
No specific grant was received for this study.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
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