Real-World Evaluation of the Eye+Dot Online Triage Support Tool in Community Optometry Practices: Mixed Methods Evaluation Study

This real-world study demonstrates the triage tool's accuracy for identifying high-risk symptomatology and its acceptability among patients and optometry services. The significantly lower optometric triage specificity may reflect risk-averse decision-making following direct communication with patients and appointment availability in primary care. In addition, the relatively low mean age of patients suggests possible barriers to uptake among older patients. This and other symptom-based triage tools can provide useful support to eye care providers in the community where access to specialist triage may be limited.