title: Potential Limitations of E-mail and Text Messaging in Improving Adherence in Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine how receptive patients are to the use of e-mail and text message reminders for appointments and medications.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a consecutive cross-sectional survey of eligible patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension at a private glaucoma subspecialty practice with 3 locations from February 2011 to January 2012. Main outcome measures were answers to survey questions regarding how receptive patients are to e-mail and text messaging reminders for appointments and medications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 989 patients, 404 (40.8%) patients reported that e-mail reminders would help remember appointments and 185 (18.7%) reported that they would help for medications. Among those with access to text messaging, 280 (68.9%) reported text messaging would help them remember appointments and 193 (47.5%) reported it would help with medications. Patients who reported e-mail would help them remember medications were more likely to live in an urban location [P=0.05, odds ratio (OR)=1.84], check the internet at least daily (P≤0.001, OR=1.04), check e-mail when not at home or the office (P=0.02, OR=1.62), and know how to open attachments (P=0.03, OR=1.87). Patients who reported that text messaging would help them remember their medications were more likely to be 40 or less (P≤0.001, OR=8.54) and African American (P<0.001, OR=2.59).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  E-mail and text messaging reminders currently may have a limited utility in improving adherence in the general glaucoma population but may be useful in younger patients with glaucoma.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Maryland ‡Department of Ophthalmology and International Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD †Eyes of York, York, PA.
authors.forename: Osamah J
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Saeedi
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Luzuriaga
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ellish
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Robin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D040421:Cell Phone; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D034742:Electronic Mail; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000628:therapy*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000628:therapy; D017010:Reminder Systems; D060145:Text Messaging; D016903:Drug Monitoring