This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of the Sharp Health Companion App, a smartphone-based digital health tool, compared to standard printed instructions for supporting older adults undergoing cataract surgery. The study enrolled 200 patients aged 39-86 from a high-volume ophthalmology practice. Participants were randomly assigned to either a printed instructions group or a group using the mobile app built on Apple's open source CareKit platform. Outcomes included surgery cancellation rates, day-of-surgery delays, medication adherence (both subjective and objective), visual acuity, and patient satisfaction. The app significantly reduced same-day surgery delays and improved objective medication adherence. The study was completed between December 2022 and January 2024 and was approved by the Sharp HealthCare Institutional Review Board (IRB #2209803).
