DigiVis: self-testing vision app for telephone consultations
Research type
Research Study
Full title
DigiVis: validation of self-testing visual acuity app to aid ophthalmic telephone consultations during Covid19 lockdown and subsequent social distancing crisis.
IRAS ID
196573
Contact name
Louise Allen
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Visual acuity is a measure of visual resolution and is a fundamental measurement required for an ophthalmic examination. Visual acuity is measured with glasses correction,if worn, and enables an eye health professional to determine the likelihood of an eye disorder.
Many eye problems such as age-related macular degeneration, amblyopia (lazy eye) and glaucoma require regular monitoring in order to prevent permanent visual impairment. Ophthalmology out-patient clinics are generally the busiest in the hospital, most departments seeing over 2000 patients a month. Since the Covid-19 crisis and the risk of infection, approximately 60% of consultations are telephonic with little information to inform decision making. There is little doubt that some patients will lose vision due to the crisis. Social distancing measures in clinics will continue for at least a year, with long-term consequences on the number of face to face appointments possible.
The web-based vision testing software we wish to validate enables school-aged children and adults to check their visual acuity at home using two of their own digital devices (for example smartphone and computer or tablet). The visual acuity value can then be given to the eye health professional at the time of the telephone consultation to inform decision making.
Early validation of the app running on two tablets has shown the system to be accurate and liked by clinic patients. We wish to undertake further validation of internet-based home-testing on patients due to be seen in clinic, so we can assess the repeatability of the test at home and the accuracy of the test compared to clinic-based testing. If shown to be accurate and usable, the app could help eye patients during the current crisis but also enable us to conduct more consultations by telephone in the future.REC name
North East - York Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/NE/0187
Date of REC Opinion
15 Jul 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion