Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42897552›Full record

SynthesisBMC health services research2026

Mobile applications for ophthalmology: a quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Shahla Faramarzi, Kosar Ghaddaripouri, Parmida Sanaei, Zahra Zare, Azita Yazdani

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC health services research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Shahla Faramarzi *Department of Health Information Management, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Kosar Ghaddaripouri *Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Parmida SanaeiStudent Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Zahra ZareStudent Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Azita YazdaniHealth Human Resources Research Center, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. a_yazdani@sums.ac.ir.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5190-286X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

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

methodA 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.

resultOut 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.

conclusionThis 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.

Indexed as

Mobile ApplicationsOphthalmologyTelemedicineHumansQualitative ResearchApplicationEyeMARSm-healthMobile healthOphthalmologyVision

Identifiers

PMID42897552
PMCPMC13681809

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.