Abstract
Purpose :
Purpose The MeyeSight Visual Fitness test is an Android smartphone app that provides a simple self-administered visual screening test. It differs from other tests because it screens not only for visual acuity, but also for contrast and for defects in the central field.
Methods :
Methods All three parts present and arrow target, pointing up, down, left or right. The subject responds by swiping in the direction indicated by the arrow. For the visual acuity test, a 1-down/2-up staircase procedure is used.
For the contrast test, the same procedure is repeated with a low contrast (20% Weber) target. The HC-LC difference, which is also used on the Mixed Contrast cards (ARVO 2005, 2006), is relevant for ADL performance.
For the central field, a novel procedure is used, which is much faster and less strenuous than existing tests. An initial screening for normal eyes takes less than 30 seconds. The program stores the results for future comparisons.
Results :
Use of the app was validated in a variety of settings.
Results Patient appeal – Of 50 patients, who tried the app in an eye clinic waiting room, 100% (50/50) found the app interesting and simple to use. All said they would like to use it at home to monitor their vision, and would recommend it to a friend. Although the app will be free, 80% (40/50) said they were willing to pay a moderate price. Several older patients had initial difficulty making the swiping movements. Younger patients rarely had this problem. The same was found in other settings. Of 15 companions, all were interested and eager to try the app.
Results Low vision patients – to date, 28 patients with visual acuity values from 2/20 to 20/400 and a variety of diagnoses (AMD in 17/25) were tested. HC acuity could be obtained in all. As expected, the variability is larger than with formal ETDRS testing. LC acuity could be obtained in 27/28. As expected, patients with impaired contrast vision took longer to reach their endpoint. HC-LC differences ranged from 0 to 6 lines, with an outlier at 13 lines. Central field data could be obtained in 16/28 patients; the results conformed to other field tests. For the remaining subjects, the standard target was too dim. A marked correlation between reading difficulties and performance on the central field test was observed.
Conclusions :
Conclusion The app provides a simple, attractive and effective means for home screening. Subjects with consistently abnormal results should seek a professional examination.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2017 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Baltimore, MD, May 7-11, 2017.