T W Stone1, J M Jumper. 1. Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Eye Center, Durham NC, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A great deal of health information has become available on the Internet over the past several years. Some of this information is inaccurate or misleading to patients. We attempted to determine the accuracy of information on the Internet concerning age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). METHODS: The term "macular degeneration" was entered in each of seven Internet search engines, and the subsequent links were followed and categorized. The number of sites that discussed treatment inconsistent with the peer-reviewed standard of care for ARMD was tabulated. RESULTS: Of the 80 unique sites regarding ARMD that we identified, 17 (21%) featured nonconventional information. CONCLUSIONS: Many Internet sites feature unproven and costly nonconventional information about ARMD. Each physician should be prepared to address these sites and to suggest reliable sites concerning health information on the Internet.
BACKGROUND: A great deal of health information has become available on the Internet over the past several years. Some of this information is inaccurate or misleading to patients. We attempted to determine the accuracy of information on the Internet concerning age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). METHODS: The term "macular degeneration" was entered in each of seven Internet search engines, and the subsequent links were followed and categorized. The number of sites that discussed treatment inconsistent with the peer-reviewed standard of care for ARMD was tabulated. RESULTS: Of the 80 unique sites regarding ARMD that we identified, 17 (21%) featured nonconventional information. CONCLUSIONS: Many Internet sites feature unproven and costly nonconventional information about ARMD. Each physician should be prepared to address these sites and to suggest reliable sites concerning health information on the Internet.