rss
Br J Ophthalmol 2005;89:378-384 doi:10.1136/bjo.2003.038430
  • Perspective

Epidemiology for ophthalmologists: an introduction to concepts, study designs, and interpreting findings

  1. H Kuper,
  2. C Gilbert
  1. International Centre for Eye Health, Clinical Research Unit, Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
  1. Correspondence to: Hannah Kuper Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK; hannah.kuperlshtm.ac.uk
  • Accepted 1 October 2004

Abstract

This review provides an overview of the types of information epidemiological research can provide and how these data can be used. The aim is to provide the readers with basic epidemiological skills to allow them to read critically scientific articles and to gain proficiency in communicating about epidemiological research. All examples in the review are drawn from the ophthalmic literature. The first part of the review is relatively conceptual and focuses on epidemiological theory, including case definition, measures of the burden of disease, sampling and the interpretation of results. In the second part different study designs are described—specifically, cross sectional surveys, cohort studies, case-control studies, and randomised controlled trials, and the strengths and limitations of each highlighted.

Footnotes

    This Article

    1. Abstract
    2. Full text
    3. PDF

    Responses

    1. Submit a response
    2. No responses published

    Register for free content

    The full back archive is now available for all BMJ Journals. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006 right back to volume 1 issue 1. Register here to access the free archive of all BMJ Journals.

    Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.