The Use of Mobile Applications as Low-Vision Aids: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE To determine the most commonly used and highest-rated mobile applications (apps) for low-vision aids. METHODS This was a convenience sample survey. Patients known to use low-vision apps at a nonprofit low-vision center (INSIGHT, Warwick, RI) were contacted by phone between June and September 2019. INCLUSION CRITERIA age 18+, Snellen visual acuity (VA) below 20/70, and the use of low-vision mobile apps for at least one month. A standardized script was used to record survey data and app ratings were evaluated by patients with a scale of one to five, one being the lowest and five being the highest. RESULTS Of the sample (n=11), nine patients (81.8%) stated they used an iPhone for low-vision mobile apps. A list of 14 mobile apps was identified: the two most commonly used apps were Seeing AI (81.8%) and Be My Eyes (63.6%); their average ratings were 4.43/5 and 4.75/5, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This survey suggests that Seeing AI and Be My Eyes are useful apps to help low- vision patients with activities of daily living.