Tablet-based tests of everyday visual function in a diabetic macular oedema (DME) clinic waiting area: A feasibility study

Journal article

Purpose: (1) To assess the feasibility of conducting tablet-based vision tests in hospital clinic waiting areas; (2) To test the hypothesis that increasing severity of diabetic macular oedema (DME) is associated with the performance of tablet-based surrogates of everyday tasks and self-reported visual function. Methods: Sixty-one people with mild (n = 28), moderate (n = 24) or severe (n = 9) DME performed two tablet-based tests of ‘real-world’ visual function (visual search and face recognition) while waiting for appointments in a hospital outpatient clinic. Participants also completed a tablet-based version of a seven-item, visual-functioning (VF-7) patient-reported outcome measure. Test performance was compared to previously published 99% normative limits for normally sighted individuals. Results: Thirty-four participants (56%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 43%–68%) exceeded normative limits for visual search, while eight (13%; 95% CI 65%–24%) exceeded normative limits for face discrimination. Search duration was significantly longer for people with severe DME than those with mild and moderate DME (p = 0.01). Face discrimination performance was not significantly associated with DME severity. VF-7 scores were statistically similar across DME severity groups. Median time to complete all elements (eligibility screening, both tablet-based tasks and the VF-7) was 22 (quartiles 19, 25) min. Further, 98% and 87% of participants, respectively, reported the search task and face discrimination task to be enjoyable, while 25% and 97%, respectively, reported finding the two tasks to be difficult. Conclusions: Portable tablet-based tests are quick, acceptable to patients and feasible to be performed in a clinic waiting area with minimal supervision. They have the potential to be piloted in patients' homes for self-monitoring.

Authors: Taylor, DJ; Alquiza, PJ; Jones, PR; Wilson, I; Bi, W

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Springer
• Journal: Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics
• Volume: 44
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 388-398
• Publication date: 2023-12-22
• Acceptance date: 2023-11-29
• DOI: 10.1111/opo.13261
• EISSN: 1475-1313
• ISSN: 0275-5408
• Language: English
• Keywords: diabetes; patient-reported outcome measures; visual function; diabetic eye disease; quality of life