|Articles|August 13, 2019

Online symptom checkers: Do they work?

JAMA Ophthalmology investigates the accuracy claims of this convenient modality 

Transcript:

I’m Dr. Doug Katsev for the Medical News Minute

Published in JAMA Ophthalmology, a look at the WebMD Symptom Checker and its accuracy. The correct diagnosis was obtained using the symptom checker in only 38% of cases.

What’s the take-home message?

It can be summed up in a recent cartoon I saw: “Don’t confuse my medical diploma with your Google search page!”

I'm Dr. Doug Katsev for the Medical News Minute. 

Newsletter

Don’t miss out—get Ophthalmology Times updates on the latest clinical advancements and expert interviews, straight to your inbox.

Subscribe Now!

Related Content

Latest CME

EnVision Summit
In-Person Event

EnVision Summit

February 13-16, 2026

Register now!
(CME Track) The TED Perspective: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Thyroid Eye Care
Video

(CME Track) The TED Perspective: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Thyroid Eye Care

Sara T. Wester, MD, FACS; Cecelia Koetting, OD; Sophie Liao, MD; Jennifer Murdock, MD

View more
(CME Track) Visionary Approaches: Rethinking Therapeutic and Interventional Glaucoma Management
Video

(CME Track) Visionary Approaches: Rethinking Therapeutic and Interventional Glaucoma Management

Rachel Simpson, MD; James Murphy, MD; Mary Qiu, MD; Jessica Steen, OD, FAAO

View more
(CME Track) Expanding Horizons in Toric IOLs: Translating Technological Advances Into Improved Patient Outcomes
Multimedia

(CME Track) Expanding Horizons in Toric IOLs: Translating Technological Advances Into Improved Patient Outcomes

Rahul Tonk, MD, MBA

View more
Practical Approaches to Modern Dry Eye Treatment and Management
Video

Practical Approaches to Modern Dry Eye Treatment and Management

Marc R. Bloomenstein, OD, FAAO; Cory J. Lappin, OD, MS, FAAO; Selina R. McGee, OD, FAAO

View more
(CME Track) Revolutionizing nAMD and DME Management: Collaborative Strategies in the Age of Durable Treatments
Video

(CME Track) Revolutionizing nAMD and DME Management: Collaborative Strategies in the Age of Durable Treatments

David S. Liao, MD, PhD; Chang Sup Lee, MD; Douglas Matsunaga, MD; Daniel Su, MD

View more
(CME Track) Patient-Centered Treatment Strategies in the Management of nAMD and DME
Video

(CME Track) Patient-Centered Treatment Strategies in the Management of nAMD and DME

Adrienne W. Scott, MD, FASRS; Justine Cheng, MD; Hong-Uyen Hua, MD; Sherrol A. Reynolds OD, FAAO, FNAP

View more
(COPE Track) Patient-Centered Treatment Strategies in the Management of nAMD and DME
Video

(COPE Track) Patient-Centered Treatment Strategies in the Management of nAMD and DME

Adrienne W. Scott, MD, FASRS; Justine Cheng, MD; Hong-Uyen Hua, MD; Sherrol A. Reynolds OD, FAAO, FNAP

View more
(COPE Track) The TED Perspective: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Thyroid Eye Care
Video

(COPE Track) The TED Perspective: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Thyroid Eye Care

Sara T. Wester, MD, FACS; Cecelia Koetting, OD; Sophie Liao, MD; Jennifer Murdock, MD

View more
(COPE Track) Revolutionizing nAMD and DME Management: Collaborative Strategies in the Age of Durable Treatments
Video

(COPE Track) Revolutionizing nAMD and DME Management: Collaborative Strategies in the Age of Durable Treatments

David S. Liao, MD, PhD; Chang Sup Lee, MD; Douglas Matsunaga, MD; Daniel Su, MD

View more
(COPE Track) The Neural Frontier: Mapping Neurostimulation Across the DED Patient Spectrum for Refractive Surgery
Video

(COPE Track) The Neural Frontier: Mapping Neurostimulation Across the DED Patient Spectrum for Refractive Surgery

Zeba A. Syed, MD

View more
(CME Credit) Time Matters in GA: The Impact of Early Detection and Proactive Treatment Approaches
Video

(CME Credit) Time Matters in GA: The Impact of Early Detection and Proactive Treatment Approaches

Laxmi V. Devisetty, MD; Rodney P. Coe, MD, MS; Majda Hadziahmetovic, MD; Xiao Yi (Ellie) Zhou, MD

View more
(COPE Track) Visionary Approaches: Rethinking Therapeutic and Interventional Glaucoma Management
Video

(COPE Track) Visionary Approaches: Rethinking Therapeutic and Interventional Glaucoma Management

Rachel Simpson, MD; James Murphy, MD; Mary Qiu, MD; Jessica Steen, OD, FAAO

View more
(COPE Track) Expanding Horizons in Toric IOLs: Translating Technological Advances Into Improved Patient Outcomes
Multimedia

(COPE Track) Expanding Horizons in Toric IOLs: Translating Technological Advances Into Improved Patient Outcomes

Rahul Tonk, MD, MBA

View more
(COPE Credit) Time Matters in GA: The Impact of Early Detection and Proactive Treatment Approaches
Video

(COPE Credit) Time Matters in GA: The Impact of Early Detection and Proactive Treatment Approaches

Laxmi V. Devisetty, MD; Rodney P. Coe, MD, MS; Majda Hadziahmetovic, MD; Xiao Yi (Ellie) Zhou, MD

View more
(CME Track) The Neural Frontier: Mapping Neurostimulation Across the DED Patient Spectrum for Refractive Surgery
Video

(CME Track) The Neural Frontier: Mapping Neurostimulation Across the DED Patient Spectrum for Refractive Surgery

Zeba A. Syed, MD

View more
20th Annual Controversies in Modern Eye Care
In-Person Event

20th Annual Controversies in Modern Eye Care

April 19, 2026

Register now!
(COPE Track) Clinical Consultations™: Framing a New Approach to Geographic Atrophy Management – Expert Insights into Recent Developments
Video

(COPE Track) Clinical Consultations™: Framing a New Approach to Geographic Atrophy Management – Expert Insights into Recent Developments

Yasha Modi, MD; Carolyn Majcher, OD, FAAO, FORS

View more
(CME Track) Clinical Consultations™: Framing a New Approach to Geographic Atrophy Management – Expert Insights into Recent Developments
Video

(CME Track) Clinical Consultations™: Framing a New Approach to Geographic Atrophy Management – Expert Insights into Recent Developments

Yasha Modi, MD; Carolyn Majcher, OD, FAAO, FORS

View more
(CME Track) Rapid Reviews in Retina™: Emerging Updates from Winter 2025 – Addressing the Wealth of New Data in Treatments for nAMD and DME
Video

(CME Track) Rapid Reviews in Retina™: Emerging Updates from Winter 2025 – Addressing the Wealth of New Data in Treatments for nAMD and DME

David M. Brown, MD, FACS; Dilraj S. Grewal, MD

View more
(COPE Track) Rapid Reviews in Retina™: Emerging Updates from Winter 2025 – Addressing the Wealth of New Data in Treatments for nAMD and DME
Video

(COPE Track) Rapid Reviews in Retina™: Emerging Updates from Winter 2025 – Addressing the Wealth of New Data in Treatments for nAMD and DME

David M. Brown, MD, FACS; Dilraj S. Grewal, MD

View more
Living With X-Linked Retinitis Pigmentosa: What We Can Learn From a Patient’s Experience
Video

Living With X-Linked Retinitis Pigmentosa: What We Can Learn From a Patient’s Experience

Lejla Vajzovic, MD, FASRS; Ramiro Maldonado, MD

View more
(CME Track) Collaborative Community Connections™: Mastering the Management of nAMD and DME Through Therapeutic Innovation
Video

(CME Track) Collaborative Community Connections™: Mastering the Management of nAMD and DME Through Therapeutic Innovation

Veeral Sheth, MD, MBA, FASRS, FACS; Mark R. Barakat, MD, FASRS; Geeta Lalwani, MD; Xiao Yi Zhou, MD

View more
Living With X-Linked Retinitis Pigmentosa: What We Can Learn From a Patient’s Experience
Video

Living With X-Linked Retinitis Pigmentosa: What We Can Learn From a Patient’s Experience

Lejla Vajzovic, MD, FASRS; Ramiro Maldonado, MD

View more
(COPE Track) Collaborative Community Connections™: Mastering the Management of nAMD and DME Through Therapeutic Innovation
Video

(COPE Track) Collaborative Community Connections™: Mastering the Management of nAMD and DME Through Therapeutic Innovation

Veeral Sheth, MD, MBA, FASRS, FACS; Mark R. Barakat, MD, FASRS; Geeta Lalwani, MD; Xiao Yi Zhou, MD

View more
Collaborative Care Symposium
Virtual Event

Collaborative Care Symposium

May 2-3, 2026

View more
Navigating the Glaucoma Therapeutic and Surgical Landscape: From Conventional to Cutting-Edge
Video

Navigating the Glaucoma Therapeutic and Surgical Landscape: From Conventional to Cutting-Edge

Deborah Ristvedt, DO; Melissa Tawa, OD, FAAO

View more
(CME Track) Neurotrophic Keratitis: Multidisciplinary Approaches to Enhance Patient Outcomes
Video

(CME Track) Neurotrophic Keratitis: Multidisciplinary Approaches to Enhance Patient Outcomes

Melissa Barnett, OD, FAAO, FSLS, FBCLA; Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO, DipABO; Quan Đông Nguyễn, MD, MSc; Jennifer Li, MD

View more
(COPE Track) Neurotrophic Keratitis: Multidisciplinary Approaches to Enhance Patient Outcomes
Video

(COPE Track) Neurotrophic Keratitis: Multidisciplinary Approaches to Enhance Patient Outcomes

Melissa Barnett, OD, FAAO, FSLS, FBCLA; Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO, DipABO; Quan Đông Nguyễn, MD, MSc; Jennifer Li, MD

View more
(CME Track) The Neural Network: Exploring The Role of Neuromodulation in Dry Eye Disease Management
Video

(CME Track) The Neural Network: Exploring The Role of Neuromodulation in Dry Eye Disease Management

Marjan Farid, MD; John Hovanesian, MD; Beeran Meghpara, MD

View more
(COPE Track) The Neural Network: Exploring The Role of Neuromodulation in Dry Eye Disease Management
Video

(COPE Track) The Neural Network: Exploring The Role of Neuromodulation in Dry Eye Disease Management

Marjan Farid, MD; John Hovanesian, MD; Beeran Meghpara, MD

View more
(CME Track) Clinical Case Connections: Understanding the Impact of Advances in Treatment for DME and DR
Video

(CME Track) Clinical Case Connections: Understanding the Impact of Advances in Treatment for DME and DR

David A. Eichenbaum, MD

View more
(CME Track) Clinical Case Connections: Expert Insights on Applying Therapeutic Innovations in nAMD
Video

(CME Track) Clinical Case Connections: Expert Insights on Applying Therapeutic Innovations in nAMD

Nathan C. Steinle, MD

View more
(CME Track) Toric IOLs Unleashed: From Technological Progress to Patient Success
Video

(CME Track) Toric IOLs Unleashed: From Technological Progress to Patient Success

Tanner Ferguson, MD; Taj Nasser, MD, FWCRS

View more
(COPE Track) Clinical Case Connections: Understanding the Impact of Advances in Treatment for DME and DR
Video

(COPE Track) Clinical Case Connections: Understanding the Impact of Advances in Treatment for DME and DR

David A. Eichenbaum, MD

View more
(COPE Track) Toric IOLs Unleashed: From Technological Progress to Patient Success
Video

(COPE Track) Toric IOLs Unleashed: From Technological Progress to Patient Success

Tanner Ferguson, MD; Taj Nasser, MD, FWCRS

View more
(COPE Track) Clinical Case Connections: Expert Insights on Applying Therapeutic Innovations in nAMD
Video

(COPE Track) Clinical Case Connections: Expert Insights on Applying Therapeutic Innovations in nAMD

Nathan C. Steinle, MD

View more
(CME Credit) Navigating Pharmacological Presbyopia Treatment for Enhanced Patient Care
Video

(CME Credit) Navigating Pharmacological Presbyopia Treatment for Enhanced Patient Care

Jacob Lang, OD, FAAO; Selina R. McGee, OD, FAAO; Neda Shamie, MD

View more
Neurotrophic Keratitis Insights: An Interactive Corneal Sensitivity Testing Workshop
Video

Neurotrophic Keratitis Insights: An Interactive Corneal Sensitivity Testing Workshop

John D. Gelles, OD, FAAO, FIAOMC, FCLSA, FSLS, FBCLA; John Hovanesian, MD, FACS

View more
(COPE Track) Small Mites, Big Impact: Revolutionizing Demodex Blepharitis Care
Video

(COPE Track) Small Mites, Big Impact: Revolutionizing Demodex Blepharitis Care

Arjan Hura, MD; Neda Shamie, MD; Kristin Barnes, OD

View more
(COPE Credit) Navigating Pharmacological Presbyopia Treatment for Enhanced Patient Care
Video

(COPE Credit) Navigating Pharmacological Presbyopia Treatment for Enhanced Patient Care

Jacob Lang, OD, FAAO; Selina R. McGee, OD, FAAO; Neda Shamie, MD

View more
(CME Track) Small Mites, Big Impact: Revolutionizing Demodex Blepharitis Care
Video

(CME Track) Small Mites, Big Impact: Revolutionizing Demodex Blepharitis Care

Arjan Hura, MD; Neda Shamie, MD; Kristin Barnes, OD

View more
Interventional Dry Eye: A Stepwise Treatment & Management Approach
Video

Interventional Dry Eye: A Stepwise Treatment & Management Approach

Mark Schaeffer, OD, FAAO; Mile Brujic, OD, FAAO; Nate Lighthizer, OD, FAAO, FAAOMS; Selina R. McGee, OD, FAAO

View more
Rapid Reviews in Retina™: Emerging Updates from Spring 2025—Addressing the Wealth of New Data in Treatments for Neovascular Retinal Disease
Video

Rapid Reviews in Retina™: Emerging Updates from Spring 2025—Addressing the Wealth of New Data in Treatments for Neovascular Retinal Disease

SriniVas Sadda, MD, FARVO; Nathan Steinle, MD

View more
(CME Track) The Evolution of MacTel Management: Integrating Neuroprotective Therapies Into Clinical Practice
Video

(CME Track) The Evolution of MacTel Management: Integrating Neuroprotective Therapies Into Clinical Practice

Dante Pieramici, MD, FASRS; Dean Eliott, MD; Robin A. Vora, MD; Charles C. Wykoff, MD, PhD, FASRS

View more
(CME Track) Rapid Reviews in Retina™: Emerging Updates from Summer 2025—Addressing the Wealth of New Data in Treatments for Neovascular Retinal Disease
Video

(CME Track) Rapid Reviews in Retina™: Emerging Updates from Summer 2025—Addressing the Wealth of New Data in Treatments for Neovascular Retinal Disease

Mark R. Barakat, MD, FASRS; David Eichenbaum, MD, FASRS

View more
(CME Track) Collaborating Across the Continuum™: Best Practices in Patient-Centric Team Management of XLRP
Video

(CME Track) Collaborating Across the Continuum™: Best Practices in Patient-Centric Team Management of XLRP

Ramiro Maldonado, MD; Rebecca Nelson, MS, CGC; Robert A. Sisk, MD, FACS, FASRS

View more
(CME Track) A Forward Look at Anti-VEGF Therapies: A Paradigm Shift in Neovascular Retinal Disease Management
Video

(CME Track) A Forward Look at Anti-VEGF Therapies: A Paradigm Shift in Neovascular Retinal Disease Management

David Almeida, MD, PhD, MBA; Margaret A. Chang, MD, MS; Arshad M. Khanani, MD, MA, FASRS; Jessica Randolph, MD

View more
(CME Track) Community Collaborative Connections™: Optimizing the Collaborative Care of Neovascular Retinal Disease in a New Age of Treatment
Video

(CME Track) Community Collaborative Connections™: Optimizing the Collaborative Care of Neovascular Retinal Disease in a New Age of Treatment

Dilsher Dhoot, MD, FASRS; Jordana G. Fein, MD, MS; Deep Parikh, MD; Xiao-Yi (Ellie) Zhou, MD

View more
Navigating Advances in Neovascular Retinal Disease: Translating Evidence to Practice in AMD, DME, and RVO
Video

Navigating Advances in Neovascular Retinal Disease: Translating Evidence to Practice in AMD, DME, and RVO

SriniVas R. Sadda, MD, FARVO; Mark R. Barakat, MD, FASRS; David A. Eichenbaum, MD, FASRS

View more
(CME Track) Beyond the Collarette: Empowering Patients in the Management of Demodex Blepharitis
Video

(CME Track) Beyond the Collarette: Empowering Patients in the Management of Demodex Blepharitis

Stephen C. Pflugfelder, MD; Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO, DipABO

View more
(COPE Track) Beyond the Collarette: Empowering Patients in the Management of Demodex Blepharitis
Video

(COPE Track) Beyond the Collarette: Empowering Patients in the Management of Demodex Blepharitis

Stephen C. Pflugfelder, MD; Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO, DipABO

View more
Navigating Ocular Toxicities: A Multidisciplinary Roadmap for Managing Adverse Events in Targeted Cancer Therapy
Video

Navigating Ocular Toxicities: A Multidisciplinary Roadmap for Managing Adverse Events in Targeted Cancer Therapy

Basil Williams, MD; Maura Di Nicola, MD

View more
Rapid Reviews in Retina™: Emerging Updates from Fall 2025—Addressing the Wealth of New Data in Treatments for Neovascular Retinal Disease
Video

Rapid Reviews in Retina™: Emerging Updates from Fall 2025—Addressing the Wealth of New Data in Treatments for Neovascular Retinal Disease

John Kitchens, MD; Michael W. Stewart, MD

View more