Mobile applications for ophthalmology: a quantitative and qualitative analysis

This study aimed to evaluate the quality of ophthalmology-related mobile health applications (mHealth apps) available in Persian and English across Android and iOS platforms.

A structured review of apps related to ophthalmology was conducted in four mobile app stores (Cafe Bazaar, Google Play, App Store, Myket) from July 31 to August 15, 2024, using relevant English and Persian keywords. The quality of selected apps was independently assessed by three reviewers using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS). Clinical evidence was also searched in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar.

Out of 4,968 ophthalmology-related apps initially identified, 37 apps met the inclusion criteria for final quality assessment-4 in Persian and 33 in English. According to the MARS scale, the Functionality domain had the highest average score (4.24), followed by Aesthetics (3.70), Engagement (3.22), and Information (3.13). Clinical effectiveness evidence was found for the "WHO eyes" app. The Persian app "چشم یار" achieved the highest average score of 4.42, and the English app "Eye Patient" received the highest average score of 4.83.

This study demonstrates that the quality of ophthalmology-related apps meets acceptable criteria according to the MARS scale; however, user engagement and the quality of the information provided remain suboptimal. These results highlight the need for improving interactive features, motivational design elements, and evidence-based educational content to enhance the overall effectiveness of ophthalmology-related mHealth apps.