Abstract
Purpose :
Myopia is a common cause of visual impairment globally with its prevalence set to rise over the next several decades, particularly in Asian nations. Patients increasingly rely upon Google searches on the internet to provide supplemental information regarding their ophthalmic and medical conditions. This study seeks to compare the quality, readability, and accessibility of online content available to the public regarding myopia and myopic degeneration.
Methods :
A cross-sectional analysis of the top 15 google sites using a general search strategy (terms: Myopia and Myopic Degeneration) was performed between November 2020 and December 2020. Identified sites were stratified into either private or academic sources. Website quality was assessed using the internationally recognized DISCERN and the Health on the Net (HONcode) criteria. Readability was graded using an online readability tool. Website accessibility features available to patients were also evaluated.
Results :
Eight academic and seven private websites were included in the analysis. Academic websites had a significantly higher quality index (43.4 ± 9.2) compared to the private sites (29.3 ± 7.6; P<0.007) determined by the DISCERN criteria. Similarly, the average quality score based on the HONcode criteria for academic websites (8.1 ± 2.6) was statistically significantly higher compared to the private websites (3.6 ± 1.4; P<0.001). The mean consensus reading grade level was similar between the academic (11.4 ± 1.8) and private websites (11.6 ± 1.5; P=0.82). Language translation and accessibility features for visual impairment was offered by only 7 of the 15 identified websites.
Conclusions :
The quality of freely available online information regarding myopia and myopic degeneration is variable by source, but in general is of poor quality according to the specified criteria. Online content provided by academic sites was of significantly higher quality compared to private websites. Improving the readability of online source content and implementing universal accessibility features is needed to aid patients in their understanding of ophthalmic conditions.
This is a 2021 ARVO Annual Meeting abstract.