The purpose of this study was to better understand the availability, accuracy and extent of information available on Instagram about amblyopia. The authors evaluated content of the top 200 publicly available Instagram posts about amblyopia from October–December 2022. Posts were scored using the currency, reliability, authority and purpose (CRAP) test which was developed to analyse quality of information on the internet. Fifty-one percent of posts were from businesses, 63% of which marketed vision therapy. One quarter were from eyecare providers including ophthalmologists, optometrists and opticians. Only 3% were by paediatric ophthalmologists. Higher quality content in posts was from eyecare providers compared with personal posts by individuals or companies selling amblyopia products. Personal posts accounted for 18% and although of lower educational value content, many provided stories of successful treatment which may prove to be motivational to others. The authors conclude there are significant opportunities to use Instagram to provide high-quality educational posts for the public.
Quality of Instagram posts about amblyopia
Reviewed by Fiona Rowe
Social media and amblyopia: evaluating content and intent on Instagram.
CONTRIBUTOR
Fiona Rowe (Prof)
Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, UK.
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