Self-Monitoring Symptoms in Glaucoma: A Feasibility Study of a Web-Based Diary Tool

Purpose. glaucoma patients annually spend only a few hours in an eye clinic but spend more than 5000 waking hours engaged in everything else. we propose that patients could self-monitor changes in visual symptoms providing valuable between clinic information; we test the hypothesis that this is feasible using a web-based diary tool. methods. ten glaucoma patients with a range of visual field loss took part in an eight-week pilot study. after completing a series of baseline tests,volunteers were prompted to monitor symptoms every three days and complete a diary about their vision during daily life using a bespoke web-based diary tool. response to an end of a study questionnaire about the usefulness of the exercise was a main outcome measure. results. eight of the 10 patients rated the monitoring scheme to be valuable or very valuable. completion rate to items was excellent (96%). themes from a qualitative synthesis of the diary entries related to behavioural aspects of glaucoma. one patient concluded that a constant focus on monitoring symptoms led to negative feelings. conclusions. a web-based diary tool for monitoring self-reported glaucoma symptoms is practically feasible. the tool must be carefully designed to ensure participants are benefitting,and it is not increasing anxiety. © 2017 leanne mcdonald et al.