Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT04426331

Vouchers to Increase Uptake of Already Free Eye Care

This study was intended to test if reframing an offer for a free follow-up eye examination could increase uptake within ongoing community-based screening program for low-income and minority populations in Baltimore City. This study evaluated the effect of offering participants a physical voucher they were told was redeemable for free follow-up, relative to simply telling participants that the follow-up appointment would be free of charge. The investigators assessed two forms of vouchers, one with estimated value information, and one without. The underlying hypothesis was that reframing these already free offers would increase uptake by increasing perceived offer value and increasing a sense of regret from not taking advantage of a "good deal."

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Glaucoma Behavior Eye Diseases Health Behavior Ocular Hypertension

Age range

50 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Johns Hopkins Hospital - Wilmer Eye Institute

Baltimore, Maryland, 21287, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Referred for follow-up at a Screening to Prevent Glaucoma (SToP) study screening event (overarching observational study from which trial sample was drawn). SToP participants were referred for follow-up for any of the following conditions: (1) VA worse than 20/40 in at least 1 eye despite autorefraction; (2) signs of retinal abnormalities on fundus photography; (3) uninterpretable fundus photography; (4) cup-to-disc ratio (CDR) greater than or equal to 0.9, and/or CDR between 0.7 and 0.9 with visual field defects or history of glaucoma; and (5) IOP of 23 mm Hg or greater.

Exclusion criteria

  • SToP participants who were not referred at the time of screening but later contacted after review of fundus photography
  • SToP participants who were referred for follow-up but stated at the time of counseling that they were already under the care of an eye doctor

Treatment and study plan

Voucher Without Value Information

Behavioral

Patients being referred for follow-up received standard materials, counseling, and reminders as in the 'no information' group and were provided with a physical voucher they were told is redeemable for free follow-up appointment at Johns Hopkins Hospital. The voucher included the patient's name, the screener's name, and an expiration date 90 days from the date of screening.

These participants were told: "I am going to give you this voucher for a completely free appointment and a free pair of glasses if you need them. So, with this voucher, both the exam and the glasses will be completely free."

Voucher With Value Information

Behavioral

Patients being referred for follow-up received standard materials, counseling, and reminders as in the 'no information' group and were provided with a physical voucher they were told is redeemable for free follow-up appointment at Johns Hopkins Hospital, which would normally cost $250. The voucher included the patient's name, the screener's name, an expiration date 90 days from the date of screening, and a statement about the $250 voucher value.

These participants were told: "I am going to give you this voucher for a completely free appointment and a free pair of glasses if you need them. These services normally cost about $250, but with this voucher, both the exam and the glasses will be completely free."

Primary outcomes

  1. Uptake of follow-up appointment

    Time frame: Within 90 days of the date of screening

    The primary endpoint was attending a follow-up appointment, either on the initially scheduled or on a rescheduled date within 90 days of the date of screening. Individuals who did not meet this endpoint either stated that they were not interested in follow-up at the screening event itself, cancelled or did not show for their appointments on 3 occasions, stated that they were not interested in follow-up when study staff attempted to reschedule, or did not show for an appointment and could not be reached for rescheduling after 3 attempts.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Uptake of initial appointment

    Time frame: Within 90 days of the date of screening

    Binary indicator for completion of the initially scheduled appointment.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Johns Hopkins University

Other

Collaborators

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Registry information

Official study title

Providing Vouchers Redeemable for Already Free Eye Exams To Increase Uptake Among a Low-Income Minority Population: A Randomized Trial

Important dates

Study start
2017
Primary completion
2019
Study completion
2019
First posted
Jun 11, 2020
Registry last updated
Jun 16, 2020

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.