Sightsync x Roche
Designing Inclusive Learning for AMD Patients and Caregivers
Role: UX Lead
Timeframe: 3 Months
Overview​
Sightsync is a digital platform designed to support individuals living with Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of vision loss among older adults. The app facilitates collaboration between patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers, allowing for shared access to medical records, better understanding of the disease, and—importantly—a sense of community.
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When I joined Sightsync, the startup had already participated in several accelerators and built a partnership with Roche. My primary responsibility was to develop the learning experience within the MVP version of the product. Here, I will focus on the Audio Learning part of the application.
Goals
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Deliver accessible, low-vision-friendly educational content
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Encourage consistent app engagement during the clinical trial and beyond
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Help users understand what to expect in their AMD journey
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Foster a sense of community and shared experience
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Explain the science of AMD and treatment options in plain terms
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Educate caregivers about the needs and challenges of AMD patients
Initial Interviews
Initially, the team envisioned a simple in-app blog to house educational content. While this technically fulfilled the requirement to "inform users," it lacked empathy, strategy, and a deep understanding of the audience's needs.
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To design something more meaningful, I immersed myself in the AMD community—attending a Retina Suisse meeting, speaking with Christina Fasser (a long-time advocate and meeting facilitator), and engaging directly with people affected by the disease. These conversations revealed invaluable insights into their emotional journeys and educational needs.
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Mapping out the journey was essential for us—it revealed so many small but meaningful nuances. By closely examining each step, I could really see the waiting, the uncertainty, and the anxiety that patients and caregivers experience.
Understanding the medical procedure itself—how much of it involves waiting, brief interactions, and back-and-forth—gave us a new level of empathy. Having this full picture wasn’t just helpful for design; it was huge for aligning the whole team around the real human experience.
Accessibility Needs
AMD primarily affects the macula, the part of the retina responsible for sharp central vision. Users often experience a blurred or dark spot in the center of their visual field. To adapt, they rely on peripheral (edge) vision, which is less precise but still functional.
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On top of that, we recognized that older users are often late adopters of technology and less likely to use screen readers—especially since many still have one unaffected eye or varying degrees of usable vision.
Instead of assuming full reliance on assistive tech, we focused on built-in visual flexibility:
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Large, high-contrast text
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Adjustable zoom
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Both vertical and horizontal scrolling
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A layout that avoids central focus, with main actions placed along the edges​
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User Testing
We tested with people aged 60+ who had AMD, visual impairments, or used simulation glasses. I recruited participants from the AMD community and my own network, creating a space to learn together.
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I used a structured script to stay consistent and reduce bias, while still allowing for open insights.
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These sessions gave us crucial input on how vision levels and tech familiarity shaped interaction—directly influencing the MVP’s accessibility and layout.
What I Learned & Implemented​
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I knew that search is necessary, but typing isn't always ideal—especially for users with low vision or motor challenges. After speaking with our developers, we implemented speech-to-text search, which not only supports accessibility but can also be reused in other parts of the app. A great example of one feature solving multiple needs.
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During testing, we read podcast content aloud since real recordings weren't yet ready. This helped me get a strong sense of pacing and tone, and led to the next challenge: finding real speakers—either people sharing their own stories or voice actors narrating others'.
Next Steps: Development & Clinical Trial
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So far, we’ve had limited access to the development team, but we’ve used every moment together to build a strong foundation and game plan. Over the next five months, we’ll collaborate more closely, combining technical development with ongoing research and innovation to bring the app to life. In parallel, I’ll be working with a teammate to scope out stories and record them in multiple languages at my home studio—ensuring the content is as accessible and meaningful as the experience itself.
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All the while, another team member will be leading recruitment efforts as we begin our first clinical trial. Throughout this process, we’ll have rich access to users and their stories, gain real-time feedback on how the app works, and collect invaluable insights into how it can best serve people living with AMD.
Design
