Follow-up Compliance for Corneal Ulcer Patients With SMS Reminder

NCT07377513 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: LEIRC/ORCB/2/14122025
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 310
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Corneal ulcer is defined as the loss of corneal epithelium with underlying stromal infiltration and suppuration, accompanied by signs of inflammation, with or without hypopyon1. The condition may be caused by bacterial, fungal, viral or parasitic pathogens and carries a significant risk of corneal perforation and subsequent visual impairment2. These risks highlight the importance of timely treatment plans and consistent referral networks3. A lot of patients choose to self-medicate and postpone seeking professional assistance due either their lack of awareness or forgetfulness, which results in inadequate follow-up compliance4,5. Scheduling appointments regularly is still a significant barrier to successful treatment and visual recovery. SMS reminders have shown encouraging real-world success in improving follow-up attendance with in ophthalmology. Mobile health tools, such as the peek Community Eye Health system, have proven increased follow-up rates and improved access to eye care services in low-resource setting through automated appointment reminders and patient monitoring6. The aim of this operational research study to evaluated the feasibility, scalability, and effectiveness of SMS reminders in improving follow-up compliance among patients with corneal ulcer at the Lumbini Eye Institute and Research Center (LEIRC), Western Nepal. The findings are expected to inform the integration of cost-effective digital health strategies to strengthen patient adherence, optimize clinical outcomes, and support eye health programs in resource limited environments.

Conditions

Corneal Ulcer

Keywords

Corneal ulcer; Follow-up compliance; SMS reminder

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Follow-up compliance

  Proportion of patients who comply with scheduled follow-up visits during the study period

  6 months

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Cost effectiveness

  6 months

Study Arms (2)

SMS reminder group

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: SMS reminder

Control group

NO INTERVENTION

Interventions

SMS reminder OTHER

Patients presenting on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for the first time for treatment will be recruited in the intervention group. For those who are recruited after receiving informed consent, SMS reminders before scheduled follow-up will be sent from the hospital regarding the next scheduled visit. In addition, routine counselling will be done during the first visit regarding the follow-up schedule.

SMS reminder group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 70 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Newly diagnosed patients (18 to 70 years) of corneal ulcer in one or both eye, who are medically managed, visiting the OPD at LEIRC and have access to a mobile phone.

You may not qualify if:

• Less than 18 years or more than 70 years Patients who do not have a access to a mobile phone.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Seva Canada Society: lead
• Lumbini Eye Institute and Research Centre: collaborator
• Pragyaan Sustainable Health Outcomes Foundation: collaborator

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Corneal Ulcer

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Eye Infections; Infections; Keratitis; Corneal Diseases; Eye Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 21, 2026
• First Posted: January 30, 2026
• Study Start: January 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2027
• Last Updated: January 30, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share