Siddharthanagar

Researchers are evaluating the use of SMS reminders to improve follow-up attendance among patients with corneal ulcers treated at the Lumbini Eye Institute and Research Center in Western Nepal. Corneal ulcers involve damage to the cornea caused by infections from bacteria, fungi, viruses, or parasites, which can lead to serious complications like corneal perforation and vision loss if not properly treated. The study aims to assess the feasibility, scalability, and effectiveness of SMS reminders in encouraging patients to attend scheduled follow-up visits, addressing issues like self-medication and missed appointments common in low-resource settings. The study includes two groups one receiving routine counseling plus SMS reminders before their follow-up visits, and a control group receiving only routine counseling. Patients are recruited on specific days when they first present for treatment. SMS reminders are sent from the hospital to encourage adherence to follow-up schedules. The study will last six months and also evaluates the cost-effectiveness of the SMS reminder system as an additional tool to improve patient care. Participants will be monitored over six months, with researchers tracking follow-up compliance as the primary outcome. Data collection will include attendance records and cost analysis related to the intervention. The study team will analyze how the SMS reminders impact patient adherence to follow-up appointments compared to routine counseling alone. The findings aim to support the adoption of affordable digital health strategies to enhance eye care in resource-limited environments.