Enhancing Patient Education in Cataract Surgery Using a Conversational Artificial Intelligence Chatbot: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

A custom-built chatbot with only clinician-validated responses showed high usability but did not improve knowledge, reduce anxiety, or increase satisfaction compared with brochures. Chatbot engagement barriers, particularly among older adults, and limits of validated-only content indicate the need for a hybrid approach of those models, to balance safety and flexibility in digital patient education.