Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Quantitative Fundus Autofluorescence for the Evaluation of Retinal Diseases
Published on: March 11, 2016
Content quality of ophthalmic information on the internet
Rainer Schalnus1, Georg Aulmann, Anja Hellenbrecht
1Department of Ophthalmology, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany. schalnus@schalnus.com
Purpose:
Little is known whether information about eye conditions on the Internet is complete and accurate to support patient or layman decision making.
Methods:
Quality of content modules about age-related macular degeneration (AMD) was analyzed on 20 web sites. Content analysis covered 72 criteria in 11 groups. Each single criterion was rated with '1' or '0' (yes/no answer).
Results:
The interrater reliability between two observers was almost perfect (kappa = 0.86). On average, 25.6% (+/-15.6) of the criteria were fulfilled. In the categories diagnostic procedures, therapy, preventive checkups, prevention and prognosis of AMD, only 12.7, 18.3, 20.0, 25.0 and 30.0%, respectively, of the required content was given.
Conclusion:
Our study shows, based upon the example of university eye hospitals, that the full potential to provide laymen with firsthand and up-to-date information has by far not yet been achieved. Further research is needed on how the Internet influences the communication between patient and ophthalmologist.
Related Concept Videos
Glaucoma: Overview
Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
Ophthalmic Drug Delivery Systems
Microbiome of the Eye
Focusing of Light in the Eye