Comparing the readability of online patient education materials for LASIK and cataract surgery

This study compares the readability and thoroughness of patient education materials for LASIK and cataract surgery.

Online patient education materials for LASIK and cataract surgery were collected from the top 30 U.S. ophthalmology programs, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), and generated using Doximity GPT. Materials were assessed using eight readability metrics that produced an average reading level score. Materials were also assessed for inclusion of information pertaining to description of the procedure, patient eligibility and contraindications, procedural risks, and post-operative care. Average readability and thoroughness were then compared between materials for each procedure.

Of 30 ophthalmology programs, 27 had online patient education materials for LASIK and 19 for cataract surgery. There was no significant difference between the readability of LASIK and cataract surgery materials (grade level of 10.11 vs. 10.77, p = 0.100). A greater proportion of LASIK materials discussed patient eligibility (81.5% vs. 10.5%, p < 0.001), though there was no difference in the frequency of information pertaining to procedural risks and post-operative care. The AAO's materials were more readable than those from top ophthalmology programs (LASIK: 8.06 vs. 10.10, p < 0.001; cataract surgery: 8.73 vs. 10.77, p < 0.001), as were the Doximity GPT-generated materials (LASIK: 5.82 vs. 10.10, p < 0.001; cataract surgery: 7.32 vs. 10.77, p < 0.001).

Online patient education materials for both LASIK and cataract surgery exceed a tenth-grade level, making them inaccessible to many patients. Ophthalmologists may consider using Doximity GPT to generate more readable materials.