User-friendliness of an objective assessment tool, Visual Behavior Monitor (VBM), for monitoring patient lifestyle prior to cataract or refractive surgery

Session Details

Session Title: Presented Poster Session: Intraocular Refractive Surgery

Venue: Poster Village: Pod 2

First Author: : B.Pajic SWITZERLAND

Co Author(s): :    P. Zakharov                       

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To determine if a new wearable device for objectively assessing a cataract or refractive lens exchange patients visual behavior was easy to use and did not present any obstacles for daily living while patients were utilizing it. Patients presenting for screening appointments for cataract surgery or refractive lens exchange were randomly selected for inclusion in the study based on willingness to wear the Visual Behavior Monitor (VBM, Vivior AG, Zurich, Switzerland), as well as meeting study inclusion criteria.

Setting:

Five-center prospective, feasibility study in Germany, Ireland and Switzerland

Methods:

Patients were trained to wear the device, instructed to wear it for a minimum of 36 hours (approximately 1 week) and scheduled to return 1 week later.The VBM measures the distance at which an activity is performed, as well as lighting conditions and head movement along three axes. The VBM data is designed to provide clinicians with a complete picture of a patient’s visual requirements and lifestyle. At the return visit, patients completed a questionnaire on their experience wearing the device. All patients underwent standard diagnostic testing, as well as grading of their cataract based on the LOC classification.

Results:

Of the 118 patients enrolled in the study to date, results were available on 73 patients.69% had cataracts, 11% underwent refractive lens exchange (9% were awaiting surgery). In the cataract patients, a grade 3 or greater cataract (67% of eyes) did not affect the ability of the VBM to gather data. 85% of patients (N=98) found the VBM was easy to use, while 10% (N=11) indicated that it was not (5% did not answer the question). 77% (N=88) found that wearing the VBM was comfortable while 19% (N=22) indicated that it was not, with 4% not answering.

Conclusions:

The results from this feasibility demonstrate that the VBM is capable of objectively assessing vision in both cataract and refractive lens exchange patients. Patients found the device easy to use, with most reporting that the device was not intrusive.

Financial Disclosure:

... is employed by a for-profit company with an interest in the subject of the presentation