Monitoring retinal conditions through apps on a smartphone is likely to feature prominently in future eye healthcare. A paper in JAMA Ophthalmology showed that patient engagement will be crucial for it to work well. 

Researchers examined app and electronic health record data to identify the demographic, clinical and patient factors affecting app use. 

Uptake and compliance was positively associated with higher comfort using technology, White British ethnicity, visual acuity, neovascular age-related macular degeneration diagnosis and a baseline number of intravitreal injections. It was negatively associated with increased age. 

As healthcare systems increasingly adopt remote models of care, digital exclusion will require careful consideration to ensure equitable access and outcomes.