{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Views and opinions of patients with glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration on vision home-monitoring: a UK-based focus group study.
{Author}: Dave S;Rathore M;Campbell P;Edgar DF;Crabb DP;Callaghan T;Jones PR;
{Journal}: BMJ Open
{Volume}: 14
{Issue}: 7
{Year}: 2024 Jul 13
{Factor}: 3.006
{DOI}: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-080619
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>To investigate the views, hopes and concerns of patients living with glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) regarding vision home-monitoring.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Qualitative study using focus groups and questionnaires. Participants were given three disease-relevant home-monitoring tests to try. The tests consisted of three visual field tests for the glaucoma groups (Melbourne Rapid Fields, Eyecatcher, Visual Fields Fast) and three acuity and/or contrast-sensitivity tests for AMD groups (Alleye, PopCSF, SpotChecks). Focus group data were thematically analysed.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>University meeting rooms in London, UK.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Eight people with glaucoma (five women, median age 74) and seven people with AMD (four women, median age 77) volunteered through two UK-based charities. Participants were excluded if they did not self-report a diagnosis of glaucoma or AMD or if they lived further than a 1-hour travel distance from the university (to ensure minimal travel burden on participants).<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Six themes emerged from focus groups, the two most frequently referenced being: 'concerns about home-monitoring' and 'patient and practitioner access to results'. Overall, participants believed home-monitoring could provide patients with a greater sense of control, but also expressed concerns, including: the possibility of home-monitoring replacing face-to-face appointments; the burden placed on clinicians by the need to process additional data; struggles to keep up with requisite technologies; and potential anxiety from seeing worrying results. Most devices were scored highly for usability, though several practical improvements were suggested.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Patients with mild-to-moderate glaucoma/AMD expect vision home-monitoring to be beneficial, but have significant concerns about its potential implementation.