Enhancing online cataract surgery patient education materials through artificial intelligence

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Informatics
• Health Communication

Background:

• Patient education materials (PEMs) for cataract surgery are often difficult to understand.
• Improving the readability of online health information is crucial for patient comprehension and engagement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of using artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the readability of online cataract surgery PEMs.
• To assess the impact of AI on the accuracy and integrity of simplified educational content in English and Spanish.

Main Methods:

• A comparative cross-sectional study identified 50 websites with cataract surgery PEMs.
• Readability was assessed using five validated formulas, and a natural language processing platform simplified the text.
• Converted materials in English and Spanish were reassessed for readability and accuracy.

Main Results:

• AI conversion reduced the average reading grade level from 11.68 to 7.94 (p < 0.01).
• Simplified Spanish text achieved an 8-9th grade reading level, and native Spanish text improved to a 7th-grade level.
• Information accuracy and content integrity were maintained post-conversion.

Conclusions:

• AI-powered conversion effectively enhances the readability of online cataract surgery PEMs.
• This technology improves the accessibility and comprehensibility of vital patient information for a wider audience.
• AI offers a viable solution for optimizing digital health education materials.