NCT06058637

iSCREEN-study: Online Nurse-assisted Eye-screening in Home Healthcare

Online Nurse-assisted Eye-screening in Home Healthcare; Implementation Study and Economic Evaluation, From an Individual, Healthcare and Socio-political Perspective

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 234 (actual)
• Sponsor: Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The aim of this study is to investigate the cost-effectiveness of a nurse-assisted online eye-screening in home healthcare in reducing eye complaints.

Detailed description

Background: In the Netherlands, the prevalence of blindness and low vision is highest among the elderly in care institutions and in home healthcare (20-25%). A recent cross-sectional pilot study with one of the largest home healthcare organizations in the Netherlands (i.e. 'Buurtzorg Nederland') showed that simple eye-screening by community nurses helps to detect eye complaints among elderly people living independently. Of all patients who were referred to a general practitioner (GP), optician, optometrist or ophthalmologist based on this screening (20% of the total group), it was found that almost half had severe visual impairment, whereas others had eye complaints that had affected acuity to a smaller extent. In most cases, eye complaints could be treated with spectacles or cataract surgery, but also untreatable eye diseases were found. These complaints may not have been detected without eye-screening and treatment would not have been offered. Often, the elderly themselves or family/friends or care providers, do not recognize that their eyesight has decreased. However, this can negatively affect their quality of life and health status. To increase access to eye care the investigators will perform a study using an online eye screening, which can be performed by the community nurses or possibly the participants themselves in their home environment. Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the cost-effectiveness of a nurse-assisted online eye-screening in home healthcare in reducing eye complaints. Method: The investigators will perform a cluster-RCT to compare online eye-screening guided by community nurses in addition to care as usual to a control condition, receiving only care as usual. It will be performed in collaboration with several home healthcare organizations. Measurements in both groups will take place at baseline, after 6 months and 12 months. This will include visual acuity measurements, questionnaires and an optometric examination. This study will be conducted among 220 participants. Elderly clients, 65+, who receive home healthcare will be invited to participate. Clients who have a serious health condition, clients who are cognitively unable to participate, or clients who had received an optometric consultation within the last 6 months, will be excluded. The eye-screening is developed by Easee and is CE marked. During the test, the visual acuity will be measured both near and at distance, and the Amsler grid test will be performed. The results of the eye-screening will be checked by an optometrist, and will be made available to the participant. This will be done by letter including a recommendation for a referral, if necessary.

Conditions

• Eye Diseases

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Eye screening	Nurse-assisted eye-screening will take place with the Easee app, which is implemented on the tablet or laptop of the community nurse. The nurse's smartphone will function as a remote control by which he/she submits input to a computer screen that displays the test. If the participant can do the test by him or herself, the nurse will merely supervise to ensure correct application. Standard audio instructions guide the nurse and participant through the test. The test will start with triage questions, which are used to set up a correct referral. During the test, both eyes are tested consecutively, covering one eye at a time. The participant will wear his/her spectacles, if present. The participant is presented a sequence of optotypes (i.e. tumbling-E and triangle-circle optotypes) that the participant must correctly identify, in addition to various grate sizes, both near and at a distance. The Amsler grid test is performed to detect any macular problems.

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-03-23
• Primary completion: 2025-11-03
• Completion: 2025-11-03
• First posted: 2023-09-28
• Last updated: 2025-12-23

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Netherlands