One of the easiest ways to begin your publishing career is to present a poster during one of the many annual meetings held by professional optometry. These meetings include but are not limited to the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, American Academy of Optometry and the American Optometric Association. This presentation reviews the step by step process involved in writing an abstract that will be accepted for presentation by these and other organizations most of the time. Once the abstract is written, you are one third of the way to making a significant contribution to the optometric literature. The other two thirds include, creating the poster and writing the final paper to be submitted to an appropriate journal for publication (the last two topics will be addressed at other meetings and/or within future VDR articles). You are encouraged to bring information for a case report and/or case series that you wish to use for a poster in the future.
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Writing the Perfect Abstract
Writing the Case Report/Case Series Abstract
Follow the Recommended Format of a Case
Report
TITLE: Title should be short and indicative of
the nature of the case report
Think of a title that uses “hot topic” words.
Some reviewers like “cutesy” titles, some do
not.
Background: This should give sufficient
information so that your case report’s
uniqueness is obvious
Writing the Perfect Abstract
Case Summary: This should include:
Who (tell me about the patient/s)
What (what was the intervention)
How (how did you treat this patient,
intervention/therapy techniques used)
Outcomes (include the most
important data that a reviewer needs
to evaluate your case report,
before/after findings, quality of life
improvements, demonstrate
completed care and not be an “in
progress” report, etc)
Writing the Perfect Abstract
Conclusion:
This should once again
highlight the
uniqueness of the case
report and why the
information contained
within the report will
lead to enhanced
patient care, improved
outcomes and an
enriched quality of life
for your patient.
Writing the Perfect Abstract
Quick Review of Essentials When Writing the Case Report
Tell the reviewer why this case is unique, new and/or
unusual. The uniqueness may be obvious to you, but
not to the reviewer.
The information conveyed must be of sufficient
general interest to the community
The abstract must be clear, concise, and well‐written
in anticipation of publication
The abstract must contain sufficient detail for
evaluation
The case report must highlight timely or essential
information, not just a review of information already
in the literature
Writing the Perfect Abstract
The case report/series must be unique
The case report must demonstrate complete
follow‐through of patient care
The clinical significance of the case report
must be clear from the abstract
Writing the Perfect Abstract
Example
This poster was accepted for the June 2016 meeting of the AOA (Authors: Dominick M. Maino, OD, MEd, FAAO, FCOVD‐A;
Stephanie Lyons, OD; Kelsey Fredericks OD; Rachael Barker, OD all at Lyons Family Eye Care in Chicago)
Title: Neuroplasticity and Vision Therapy for Adults: A Case Series
Background:
Optometric Vision Therapy is considered a viable treatment option for
children with various binocular vision disorders (strabismus, amblyopia and
other dysfunctions of the binocular vision system). Unfortunately, children
with these disorders, if left untreated, become adults with strabismus,
amblyopia, convergence insufficiency, etc. Current research suggests that the
human visual system retains a good deal of neuroplasticity into adulthood and
that even senior individuals can learn new ways of seeing. Unfortunately,
optometrists are less likely to suggest vision therapy to their adult patients
even though it has been shown to be effective for various groups within the
adult population.