Abstract
Purpose:
Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a disease of the ocular surface and one of the most frequent pathological conditions in ophthalmology. The aim of the project was to develop an app to offer the possibility to use iPad and iPhone to record patients’ complete clinical chart data with a specific section dedicated to ocular surface tests and DES management that could be used in everyday clinical practice and for clinical studies.
Methods:
In the first phase we compared numerous clinical charts available for PC and paper versions. Then we developed a complete clinical chart (iEyes) to record patients’ picture, medical and ophthalmological history, visual acuity, and clinical data for iPad. In particular we have included a section with specific ocular surface tests: dry eye questionnaires, Schirmer test, fluorescein and lissamine green staining grading scales, tear break-up time, conjunctival hyperemia score, eyelid margin redness, quality of expressed meibum, and other specific tests used in experimental studies only. The app was tested by 3 general ophthalmologists and 3 specialists in ocular surface diseases. Data were recorded with standard methods (paper) and with the new app. Recording time were measured and compared. Data could visualized on i Phone also.
Results:
A total of 300 patients were recorded, with ocular surface tests performed in 90 patients. No problems were referred by physicians with the use of the app on iPad. The recording time was significantly (P<0.05) lower in the iPad group compared to the paper group. The chance to visualize clinical chart recorded data on iPhone obtained a significant satisfaction rate.
Conclusions:
This new app provides a useful tool for clinicians and researchers to record data that could be used in everyday practice and for clinical studies. Future developments could be the possibility for patients included in clinical studies to communicate data of questionnaires from their devices and to verify treatment compliance.