Abstract
Background A long lasting and continuous anti VEGF-therapy represents a gold standard in nAMD
treatment to maintain and stabilize vision in the individual patient. Disease Management
represents a daily life challenge for patients and relatives and “Real-life”
clinical outcomes of patients treated with IVOM therapy are often inferior to results
from randomized clinical
trials. After their diagnosis, AMD-patients undergo individualized long-term
therapeutic approaches. An important success factor is, that this care is patient
centered and provided
continuously. This study aimed at evaluating, whether digital tools, such as
Makula-App 1.0 developed by the AMD-Netz can support AMD patients.
Patients and Methods The results of a user survey integrated in the Makula-App 1.0 (n = 110) as well as
the results of an additional survey on the topic of “Digital appointment
management in IVOM therapy” by ophthalmologists (n = 54) and patients (n = 60)
were analysed with respect to use and acceptance of the Makula-App.
Results The survey revealed: 79% of Makula-App user rely on the information presented, 71%
perceive the device helpful for their daily life and 80% would recommend the device.
52% of
ophthalmologists and 65% of patients regard clear benefits of future digital
tools for patient adherence. A digital appointment management function is rated as
important by 82% of
ophthalmologists.
Conclusions User perceived Makula-App 1.0 as well as its future development options as beneficial
especially for the management of appointment arrangements but also as information
tool. Ophthalmologists confirm the importance and usefulness of devices such
as Makula-App 1.0 with respect to an optimized management of appointments and an improved
patient adherence.
These promising results support the future development of a Makula-App 2.0 platform,
providing interfaces for an information exchange between patient and treating ophthalmologist.
Key words
AMD - macular-app - anti-VEGF-treatment - adherence - digitalization
