ABSTRACT
Purpose
To assess content, readability, and accountability of online information for patients regarding epiretinal membranes (ERMs).
Methods
Cross-sectional study evaluating nine major medical websites on ERMs. Fifteen questions assessed patient-relevant content. Four indices estimated U.S. grade literacy level of the text. JAMA benchmarks (authorship, attribution, disclosure, currency) evaluated website accountability.
Results
Average content score was 36.78 (SD 13.91, 95% CI ±0.64) from a possible maximum of 60, with significant variability between websites (H = 22.68, p=0.004). Mean reading grade level was 12.29 (SD 2.30, 95% CI ±1.50). No website achieved all JAMA benchmarks; only one website fulfilled three of the four. Content score did not correlate with Google rank (order of listed websites, r = −0.23, p=0.55) or JAMA benchmarks (r = 0.19, p=0.62) but significantly correlated with mean reading grade (r = 0.67, p=0.05).
Conclusion
Online information regarding ERMs varies significantly, may not adequately answer common patient questions, and is written at too complex a literacy level for the average patient.
DECLARATION OF INTEREST
Dr Jayanth Sridhar is a consultant for Alcon, Alimera Sciences, Inc., Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Oxurion. Dr Ajay E. Kuriyan is a consultant for Allergan plc, Alimera Sciences, Inc., Bausch Health Companies, Inc., Genentech, Inc., Novartis International AG, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Second Sight. Dr Nicolas A. Yannuzzi is a consultant for Genentech, Inc. and Novartis International AG. None of the other authors report any disclosures.