Abstract
Aim Distorted vision (metamorphopsia) is a leading symptom in retinal disease and can
be categorized with the app MacuFix. This prospective controlled pilot study examined
the
influence of the app MacuFix as a method to assess metamorphopsia on vision-related
quality of life.
Methods Forty-five patients suffering from metamorphopsia in at least one eye were recruited
for the study. Vision-related quality of life before and after 3 months of optional
home
monitoring using the app MacuFix were compared with the questionnaire National Eye
Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25.
Results The 45 participants (18 women, 27 men) were, on average, 68 years old (SD ± 9.7)
and had a mean best-corrected visual acuity of 0.6 (SD ± 0.25). Of 90 eyes, 18 revealed
no
maculopathy. Age-related macular degeneration existed in 52 eyes, epiretinal gliosis
in 6, and macular hole in 1 eye. Macular edema was present in two eyes due to diabetes,
four eyes due to
uveitis, one eye after retinal venous thrombosis, four eyes because of an Irvine Gass
syndrome, and two eyes caused by central serous thrombosis. After 3 months, 35 persons
used the app for
home monitoring, 8 persons applied the Amsler Grid, and 2 did not use any test. App
users showed a highly significant improvement in vision-related quality of life in
questions on mental
health and concern about vision, and a significant improvement in performance, dejection,
control, and embarrassing situations.
Conclusion The results suggest that MacuFix can possibly ameliorate partial aspects of vision-related
quality of life.
Key words
metamorphopsia - vision-related quality of life - age-related macular degeneration
- smartphone-based app
