JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

People who are blind or have low vision experience disproportionately high rates of physical health problems (such as chronic pain and an increased risk of falls). They also have a significantly higher prevalence of mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety, compared to their sighted peers. Mobile health (mHealth) applications hold promise for supporting this population, but the accessibility and effectiveness of existing mHealth apps for users with visual impairments remain largely unknown.

Objective:

The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the current knowledge on the development and use of mobile health applications designed to improve the physical and psychological well-being of individuals who are blind or have low vision.

Methods:

Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a comprehensive search of scientific databases for peer-reviewed studies on health-related mobile apps designed for users who are blind or have low vision, and we also surveyed mobile apps currently recommended by leading organizations serving the blind. Identified apps were then evaluated for their accessibility (against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0) and overall quality (using the Mobile App Development and Assessment Guide) from the perspective of users who are blind or have low vision.

Results:

In total, eighteen unique mobile apps were identified across the two searches, and thirteen relevant peer-reviewed related articles were included. The apps predominantly focused on medication management functions (such as medication reminders and health data tracking), and most had been endorsed by at least one major recognized organization for people who are blind or have visual impairments. Notably, none of the identified apps specifically targeted mental health support, highlighting a major gap in current mHealth offerings for this population. As a whole, the included studies found these apps to be generally acceptable and helpful in promoting health self-management, with improvements in users’ autonomy and medication adherence reported. One application (Medisafe) stood out by achieving high compliance with accessibility guidelines and demonstrating positive health outcomes (improved medication adherence and high user satisfaction) in clinical studies. However, several other widely endorsed apps exhibited significant accessibility shortcomings (for example, poor screen reader compatibility due to unlabeled visual elements) despite their popularity.

Conclusions:

The findings underscore an urgent need to expand and improve mHealth tools for people who are blind or have visual impairments. In particular, the lack of mental health–focused apps and the frequent accessibility limitations in currently available apps should be addressed through inclusive, user-centered design and stricter adherence to accessibility standards. Greater efforts are required to co-design and rigorously evaluate accessible mobile interventions that can effectively enhance the physical and mental well-being of blind and low vision individuals. By identifying both strengths and gaps, this review offers guidance for developers, clinicians, and policymakers to advance inclusive, evidence-based mHealth solutions that better serve this population. Clinical Trial: This review is registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42023448243).