The Effect of Experience on Visual Search Patterns in Retinal Imaging Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVE

The increasing use of retinal diagnostic imaging necessitates a standardized viewing technique. This study investigates visual search patterns among ophthalmologists at various experience levels using eye-tracking technology.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Participants included postgraduate year 2, 3, and 4 residents, retina fellows, and attending ophthalmologists, who analyzed fundus images while their eye movements were tracked.

RESULTS

Results indicated that attendings had shorter fixation durations (0.15 ± 0.04 seconds) and saccade lengths (0.06° ± 0.01°), indicating faster image information processing than novice physicians. Experts also analyzed a higher proportion of the image area (49.43% ± 7.34%) and possessed a global-focal search pattern, suggesting increased thoroughness.

CONCLUSION

Experts in ophthalmology demonstrate gaze characteristics that reflect faster image processing and a more thorough analysis of diagnostic imaging. We recommend that residents be taught a standardized method for image interpretation that emulates expert analysis through a disc-macula-vessel-periphery sequence with radial sweeps. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2025;56:336-344.].