A Small Step towards Big Data: Trends and Preference Patterns in Ophthalmic Oncology

Abstract

PURPOSE: To record trend and preference patterns among ocular oncologists for commonly encountered clinical diagnoses or scenarios. METHODS: Participants responded anonymously to a PowerPoint presentation of questions encompassing the spectrum of ophthalmic oncology (with illustrations) using an audience response system. Each question was displayed for about 1 min and results were immediately projected before presenting the next question. The wordings of the 33 questions that were directly related to patient care, case illustrations, and the graphic representation of the responses (in the sequence of presentation) are reproduced herein. RESULTS: Responses were recorded for participant demographics, retinoblastoma, uveal melanoma, adult intraocular tumors, retinal tumors, and conjunctival, eyelid and orbital tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Such data collection efforts should be ongoing and comprehensive to collect information on trends, practice preferences, and guidelines in absence of hard evidence.