Article Text

Download PDFPDF
Diagnosis from fundus photographs
  1. E G Dallas,
  2. R A Clement,
  3. D S I Taylor
  1. Visual Sciences Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
  1. Correspondence to: Dr R A Clement Visual Sciences Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK; r.clement{at}ich.ucl.ac.uk

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the way in which ophthalmologists observe fundi and make diagnoses from their observations.

Methods: A set of 12 test photographs was presented to 9 ophthalmologists. The subjects were asked to identify the features in the photographs that are important for forming a diagnosis and were also asked to form differential diagnoses. The scanpaths of the subjects were recorded during their inspection of the photographs. Subsequently, they were asked to trace over the important features of four of the photographs.

Results: The correctness of the diagnoses was described by weighted numerical scores. Differential diagnoses made after 30 s of inspection were significantly better than those made after 5 s. Irrespective of correctness, the reported diagnoses were dominated by the most obvious features of the photograph. Incorrect diagnoses were made either because the subjects failed to identify the significant features of the photograph or because they failed to comprehend the significance of the identified features.

Conclusion: Accurate funduscopy involves both perception of diagnostic features and cognitive interpretation of these features. Verbal reports, eye movement recordings and tracings reveal the features and interpretations used to make a diagnosis. These techniques will be used in a subsequent study to evaluate the relative contributions of formal training and experience to the development of diagnostic skills.

Statistics from Altmetric.com

Request Permissions

If you wish to reuse any or all of this article please use the link below which will take you to the Copyright Clearance Center’s RightsLink service. You will be able to get a quick price and instant permission to reuse the content in many different ways.

Footnotes

  • Published Online First 13 December 2006

  • Competing interests: None.