Home monitoring as a useful extension of modern tele-ophthalmology

The self-measurement of clinically relevant parameters by the patient between two doctor consultations is an important pillar of modern medical care [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Several large programmes have been launched in recent decades under the term home measurement, which have subsequently shown clear effects in favour of the timely detection of a worsening of disease and its targeted prompt treatment [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. In addition to these immediate clinical effects, home measurements also lead to patients gaining autonomy in the self-responsible treatment of their disease and—presumably through this commitment—showing a significantly higher adherence to treatment [ 6 ]. Home assessment programmes may also reduce emergency consultations and organizational inefficiencies in outpatient and inpatient care although evidence remains inconclusive [ 4 ].