Development and usability evaluation of an application for patients with glaucoma.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy that requires continuous monitoring. The purpose of the study was to develop and evaluate the usability of a mobile application, for iOS and Android platforms, containing functionalities to improve patients' knowledge about glaucoma and facilitate their treatment. METHODS: The application was developed by a multidisciplinary team using an adapted version of a co-design methodology. Volunteers were selected, among patients and patients' relatives, from the Instituto Cearense de Oftalmologia, chosen by rational choice sampling, to answer the system usability scale after having prior orientation. The results extracted from the questionnaire were analyzed quantitatively. After grouping by age, a proportions test (z-test) was performed. RESULTS: It was possible to develop an application for mobile devices named "GlaucoCheck." Of the 36 interviewees, the average age was 51 (22-69) years old, 56% were women, and 30.5% had a university degree. The average APP score for usability in the SUS questionnaire was 75.6 (95% CI 74.1-77.2). CONCLUSION: There was an appropriate acceptance of patients to the "GlaucoCheck", as it was considered easy to handle, exhibiting interactive and uncomplicated layout. It was possible to develop an application and to register a positive acceptance by the users, encompassing functions that permits better adherence to treatments and additional knowledge about glaucoma.