Clinical innovation research model for fundus diseases: 6 elements, 3 ones
Journal Title: Eye Science (Yanke Xuebao) - Year 2025, Vol 40, Issue 2
Abstract
The "6 Elements, 3 Ones" constitutes a methodological framework for conducting innovative clinical research of ocular fundus diseases in foundational fundus imaging interpretation. This model emphasizes: 1) identifying a single abnormal case during routine fundus evaluation; 2) systematically expanding this observation into a case series through case accumulation, feature extraction, literature review, and comparative analysis; and 3) ultimately proposing or refining novel disease entities or manifestations through critical thinking and innovation. Over the past two decades, guided by this paradigm, our research team has achieved several original breakthroughs in fundus imaging studies, including:establishing polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy as the predominant subtype of neovascular age-related macular degeneration in Chinese populations; proposing an international staging system and novel subtypes for punctate inner choroidopathy; elucidating the pathogenesis of retentional retinal pigment epithelial detachment through the sign of age-related scattered hypofluorescent spots on late-phase indocyanine green angiography; identifying acute macular neuroretinopathy as the primary cause of vision loss in dengue fever patients; and precisely localizing lesion in the world's largest case series of persistent placoid maculopathy. The "6 Elements" framework standardizes fundus disease research protocols, emphasizing methodological rigor and progressive investigation while generating multiple research trajectories through iterative cycles, thereby expanding both the depth and breadth of scientific inquiry. The "3 Ones"pathway embodies hierarchical research progression - transitioning from individual phenomena (point observations) to population-level patterns (linear correlations), ultimately constructing a multidimensional disease cognition network(planar integration). This approach guides investigations ranging from signs of common disease to rare disorders and novel disease entities, accelerating the refinement of disease taxonomies. By adhering to the "6 Elements" as the structural framework and implementing the "3 Ones" as the strategic pathway, we will continue to advance innovation and achieve breakthroughs in clinical fundus disease researches.
Authors and Affiliations
Feng WEN, Xiongze ZHANG, Miaoling LI, Yuhong GAN, Yongyue SU
Keywords
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- EP ID EP761513
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