Abstract
Purpose Ophthalmology residency training heavily relies on visual and pattern recognition-based
learning. In parallel with traditional reference texts, online internet search via
Google Image Search (GIS) is commonly used and offers an accessible fund of reference
images for ophthalmology trainees seeking rapid exposure to images of retinal pathology.
However, the accuracy and quality of this tool within this context is unknown. We
aim to evaluate the accuracy and quality of GIS images of selected retinal pathologies.
Methods A cross-sectional study was performed of GIS of 15 common and 15 rare retinal diseases
drawn from the American Academy of Ophthalmology residency textbook series. A total
of 300 evaluable image results were assessed for accuracy of images and image source
accountability in consultation with a vitreoretinal surgeon.
Results A total of 377 images were reviewed with 77 excluded prior to final analysis. A total
of 288 (96%) search results accurately portrayed the retinal disease being searched,
whereas 12 (4%) were of an erroneous diagnosis. More images of common retinal diseases
were from patient education Web sites than were images of rare diseases (p < 0.01). Significantly more images of rare retinal diseases were found in peer-reviewed
sources (p = 0.01).
Conclusions GIS search results yielded a modest level of accuracy for the purposes of ophthalmic
education. Despite the ease and rapidity of accessing multimodal retinal imaging examples,
this tool may best be suited as a supplementary resource for learning among residents
due to limited accuracy, lack of sufficient supporting information, and the source
Web site's focus on patient education.
Keywords
vitreoretinal education - online medical education tools - medical education technology
- visual learning
