Application of mobile health (mHealth) in the field of eye care: A scoping review of interventions used by individuals and health services to communicate

Mobile health (mhealth) has the potential to become a powerful tool to support healthcare delivery in various ways, but there is a gap in the understanding on the impact of mHealth interventions used in eyecare. The aim of this scoping review is to collate, synthesise and describe the types of mHealth interventions in eye care. We searched MEDLINE, Embase and Global Health on 2 March 2021, July 13th 2023 and August 8th 2024 for any mHealth intervention that is available within an eyecare service and involves communication between patients and health professionals. Fifty-nine studies were included in the scoping review. The results highlight the extensive areas in eye health where mHealth is currently being applied, including a range of settings, modalities and intervention types. Predominantly, mHealth is used for multiple eye conditions and interventions aiming to increase adherence to treatments, improve appointment attendance, and raise awareness of eyecare. However, the specific modes of delivery and types of interventions (simple or complex) that are most effective remain unclear. This scoping review highlights there is significant interest and potential for mHealth interventions to improve communication between eye care professionals and patients across various settings and modalities. Despite the promising applications of mHealth to eye care, the effectiveness of these interventions can vary widely across different settings. To maximise the benefits of mHealth in eye care, future research should aim to address these gaps, especially within diverse socio-economic contexts.