In this study, the authors aimed to evaluate and compare online materials about strabismus using expanded metrics including readability, complexity and suitability. They highlight areas of improvement for better counselling of patients on the internet. Ten top web pages were included from a Google search of strabismus after disabling user location and account information, and exclusion of sponsored results, adverts, references and external links. Mean percentage of simple measure of gobbledygook (SMOG) hard words was 17.9 ±5.45% (range 9–27%). Overall SMOG reading grade level was 11.4 ±1.07 (range 9–12). Average sentence count was 130 ±138 (range 28–497 sentences) and overall reading time was 5.78 ±4.44 minutes (range 1.70–14.2). In measuring complexity (PMOSE / IKIRSCH measure), mean score was 6.50 ±2.29 which corresponded to low complexity. Fifty percent was written at a very low complexity level. Suitability mean score was 70.3 ±10.1% which represented a superior score. Most common areas of deficiency were lack of summaries, high literacy demand, poor-quality graphics and lacking interactivity. Limitations of this study were that English-only information was included and there was a focus on an American population which excludes generalisation to other countries, languages and other search engines. When providing information about strabismus and its management, it is important to consider literacy levels and use suitable resources.
Suitability of online materials for strabismus
Reviewed by Fiona Rowe
Online resources for strabismus: an evaluation of readability, complexity and suitability.
CONTRIBUTOR
Fiona Rowe (Prof)
Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, UK.
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