Skip to content
Macular Degeneration, Vision Loss, and AI
Thank you for taking the time to fill out this survey. Please answer as many questions as you can. The entire survey is just over 30 questions and should take you around 15 minutes.
We realize that your vision loss may make it difficult to complete this survey. If you do not have someone at home to help you, or computer tools to help you and you would like to complete this survey by phone, please email communityoutreach@macular.org and we will work to set up a time to complete the survey by phone with you. Please be advised that we have limited staff so it may take some time to schedule you.
1.
What is your age?
under 30
30–44
45–54
55–64
65–74
75–84
85+
2.
What is your gender?
Female
Male
Prefer not to say
Other
3.
Race? (this information helps us understand the experiences and needs of underserved populations with AMD)
American Indian or Alaska Native
Asian or Asian American
Black or African American
Hispanic or Latino
Middle Eastern or North African
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
White
Another race
4.
What is your level of education?
Some high school
High School Diploma
Some College
Associate’s Degree
Bachelor’s Degree
PhD
5.
What type/stage of macular degeneration do you have?
Early dry
Neovascular (wet) AMD
Intermediate Dry
Late stage dry/Geographic Atrophy
Stargardts
6.
How would you describe your level of vision loss?
No vision loss
Mild
Moderate
Severe
Legally blind
7.
Generally, how comfortable are you using everyday technology like smartphones, computers, or other digital technology?
Very comfortable
Comfortable enough
I’m not very comfortable with technology and prefer not to use it if I can help it
Very uncomfortable
8.
If you are experiencing vision loss, have you received any training in accessible or low-vision technology?
Yes
No
N/A
Your Experience with Digital Tools
The next questions ask about features you may have used on a phone, computer, tablet, smart speaker, smart TV, or another device. Some features may operate in the background or may not be clearly labeled.
Please answer based on your experience in the last six months.
9.
Which of these every day technologies do you use, even occasionally? (check all that apply)
Smartphone (like an iPhone or Android)
Computer or laptop
Tablet
Smart device such as an Alexa Echo device or Google Home
Siri or Alexa on your phone.
Smart TV
Google
None of these
10.
Which of these assistive technologies or aids do you use, even occasionally? (check all that apply)
Smart Glasses such as Meta glasses
AMD tracking app of any kind
Handheld magnifier
Digital magnifier
White cane
Bump dots
11.
Which of these general AI tools do you use, even occasionally? (check all that apply)
ChatGPT
Claude
Google Gemini
Perplexity
Grok
Microsoft CoPilot
DuckDuckGo AI
12.
When you have trouble using technology, who do you usually turn to for help? (select one)
Family member
Friend
Paid caregiver or aide
Library or community program
I figure it out myself
No one, I don't try
13.
During the past six months, how often have you used, or had the following happen while using a device?
Never
Once or twice
About once a month
Weekly
Daily or almost daily
Not sure
Words, sentences, or replies suggested while you are typing.
Never
Once or twice
About once a month
Weekly
Daily or almost daily
Not sure
A summary displayed automatically within internet search results (like Google)
Never
Once or twice
About once a month
Weekly
Daily or almost daily
Not sure
Products, music, videos or news recommended based on your previous activity
Never
Once or twice
About once a month
Weekly
Daily or almost daily
Not sure
A spoken assistant that answers questions or carries out commands (like Alexa)
Never
Once or twice
About once a month
Weekly
Daily or almost daily
Not sure
An app that uses your camera tool to read printed words or documents aloud
Never
Once or twice
About once a month
Weekly
Daily or almost daily
Not sure
An app or other tool that uses a camera to identify objects, products, colors, people, or currency.
Never
Once or twice
About once a month
Weekly
Daily or almost daily
Not sure
An app or other tool that describes a photograph, person, room, or surrounding area.
Never
Once or twice
About once a month
Weekly
Daily or almost daily
Not sure
A chatbot that answers questions.
Never
Once or twice
About once a month
Weekly
Daily or almost daily
Not sure
14.
Which, if any of these features have you used at least partly because of difficulty seeing? (select all that apply)
An app or other tool that uses a camera and AI to read text aloud.
An app or other tool that uses a camera and AI to describe your surroundings.
An app or other tool that uses a camera and AI to identify people.
A spoken assistant (for example, Alexa or Siri) to answer questions or carry out commands (for example, “add to my shopping list")
15.
What products or apps have you used for activities related to your vision (for example, Alexa or Meta Glasses)?
16.
During the past six months, have you used any AI powered service or feature that gave you information you thought or knew might be wrong, misleading, or unsafe?
Yes
No
I'm not sure
17.
If you answered yes to the question above, please briefly describe what happened:
The next questions ask about artificial intelligence (AI). There are no right or wrong opinions. Please select “not sure” when that best reflects your answer.
18.
How familiar are you with AI?
Extremely familiar
Very familiar
Somewhat familiar
Not so familiar
Not at all familiar
19.
What does the term “artificial intelligence” or “AI” mean to you?
20.
Which of the following do you think uses AI? (select all that apply)
A spoken digital assistant that answers questions (like Alexa or Siri)
A summary displayed automatically with internet search results
Words, sentences, or replies suggested while you are typing.
A chatbot that answers questions or helps complete a task
Recommendations based on activity (products, movies, videos, news stories)
An app or other tool that uses a camera to read text aloud, identify people, objects, and places.
21.
For each statement, indicate whether you believe it is true or false:
True
False
AI can give an answer that sounds confident but is incorrect
Different AI products may collect, store, or use personal information in different ways
A person may use a feature powered by AI without realizing AI is involved and without being notified.
All AI tools are equally reliable for every type of task
Every feature that uses AI requires an internet connection
My eye care professionals may use tools that are powered by AI
22.
Which best describes your feelings about AI? (select one)
Excited about what it can do for me.
Mostly cautious or wary.
Mix between excited and cautious
Fearful
I don’t have strong feelings
23.
What best describes the benefits of AI that most excite you. (Select all that apply)
More or restored independence through AI-assisted technologies
Better disease monitoring and earlier intervention
The use of AI in research that could result in more treatment and prevention options
The use of AI in medicine to better manage and treat my AMD
Answers to my questions about my AMD
None of the above
24.
What best describes your main concern(s) (select all that apply)
Fear of being given wrong information
Privacy or data misuse
Too hard to learn or use
Don’t understand it well enough to trust it
Prefer human judgment
Cost
Other
25.
Are you actively avoiding using AI? (choose one)
Yes
No, I still use AI
I’m not sure how to avoid because I don’t know what counts as “AI”
26.
If you are doubtful about AI, what would need to change for you to consider using AI tools?
27.
What best describes how you already use AI or would feel comfortable using AI (select all that apply):
Help with reading tasks such as a restaurant menu or other everyday printed material
Help with more sensitive reading tasks such as medication prescriptions, bills or other personal mail.
Identifying products or objects
Identifying currency
Help navigating an unfamiliar place
Writing or revising a message
Help with AMD monitoring
Help with AMD disease and risk management
Help with AMD information generally
Help with AMD information specific to my case
Help with voice-activated tasks (turning on lights, searching on TV, making a shopping list, etc.)
Better diagnosis and treatment
Companionship or conversation
28.
How comfortable would you be acting on the information provided by AI without checking with another source or person?
Not at all comfortable
Comfortable but cautious
Comfortable
Very comfortable
Not sure
Not at all comfortable
Comfortable but cautious
Comfortable
Very comfortable
Not sure
29.
If or when you use AI for information related to your AMD (questions about diagnosis, stage, monitoring, vision changes, treatments, and so on), how often do you think you would check its information with another source such as your doctor or a medical website?
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Most of the time
Every time
Not sure
30.
What other ways do you hope AI will be able to help someone with AMD in the future? (List as many as you like in the box below.)
These final questions give you the opportunity to share your thoughts and concerns in your own words. Please do not share any identifying information about yourself in your answers.
31.
What do you feel is the most helpful thing AI could do for you, or other people with AMD and/or low vision?
32.
What do you wish you understood better about AI in relation to AMD and/or low vision?
33.
What concerns about AI in relation to AMD and/or low vision do you have that weren’t covered in the survey questions?
34.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
1 / 1
100%
