Abstract
Purpose :
To administer an on-line questionnaire in Australia to understand healthcare consumers experience with current visual field (VF) tests, and opinions regarding future improvements to VF tests.
Methods :
A Qualtrics survey was distributed via Glaucoma Australia (support group for people with glaucoma), and to people with glaucoma who had previously participated in our research. The survey assessed three domains: 1) demographics and experience with visual field tests; 2) opinions regarding test duration and frequency; and 3) perspectives on future developments. Surveys with 100% question completion were analysed, resulting in a total of 152 responses. Median (IQR) is given for non-categorical data.
Results :
Respondent demographics were: age 66 (60 - 72) years; most (70%) had experience of more than 11 visual field tests, with 37% having experience of more than 20 tests. Participants estimated that they completed visual field tests in 6 (5 - 8) minutes. The reported VF visit frequency was: once a year (29%), twice a year (57%), thrice a year (9%), every two years (3%), with others being less often. Opinions regarding test duration and frequency were as follows: participants were willing to accept an addition of 5 (3 - 6) minutes for a single VF test if more information about their VF could be obtained. We asked how many total tests per visit they would be prepared to undergo if evidence emerges that more than 1 test per appointment is useful: 1 test (7%), 2 tests (55%), 3 tests (18%), and >3 tests (20%). More respondents were prepared to increase tests per visit than increase visits per year. Table 1 describes participant responses regarding future VF developments.
Conclusions :
Healthcare consumers prioritise information over test duration and are willing to undertake more or longer tests to obtain more information. This study provides valuable information on healthcare consumer preferences for VF tests, and may help scientists and industry design and understand healthcare consumer preparedness for new VF methods.
This is a 2021 ARVO Annual Meeting abstract.