Research reflection

Following my research in what is already in the public eye for laser eye surgery I have concluded:

• I will not feature health risks in my video - as it is a film on educating someone on the laser eye process. There is also enough easy access info on health risks online. 
• To teach science behind a concept there needs to be some level of detail. So I will try to include as much detail as possible whilst keeping it on a level any audience can understand. 
• Real life pictures seem daunting and graphic so I will find a medium to create my video which takes away some of the 'gore'. 
• I will directly compare the 2 different operation methods - leaving the viewer certain of which one is for them by the end of the film. 
• I will keep it short to maintain interest; therefore understanding. 

Laser eye presented in the media

I have looked at many sources from quick to longer explanations of laser eye surgery to see why the a lot of the general public know little about what the surgery entails. 

• Source: NHS Health website. 
• Link: http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Eyehealth/Pages/Lasers.aspx

• Positives: Detailed description of the difference between LASIK and LASEK surgery. Useful information + extra links to the health risks of the procedure. 
• Negatives: There are no diagrams to aid understanding. For someone who knows little about the structure of the eye, this source is not at all informative. 

• Source: Optimax Eye Surgery Specialists (Laser eye company). 
• Link: http://www.optimax.co.uk/laser_eye_surgery.aspx

• Positives: Very clear, easy access to a range of short clips summarising each operation method. Videos are short, so potential patients are likely to watch all of the video. 
• Negatives: Clips are very brief and do not go into the science behind any of the operation. Left some of the videos feeling I didn't know much more than before. Each different method is listed separately - so cannot directly compare procedures. 

• Source: The Guardian - 'Money' section - Blog
• Link: http://www.theguardian.com/money/blog/2013/oct/12/should-i-have-laser-eye-surgery
• Positives: Can read stories of many experiences (good and bad). Compares some prices of different companies. Get a sense of truth as the public are speaking (not just companies advertising themselves). 
• Negatives: Picture is graphic/harsh - may put people off. Overall presents laser eye in a negative tone. Not very reliable - public may influence other opinions. May put someone off researching any further detail into options. 

• Specsavers - Laser Eye Surgery 
• Link: http://www.specsavers.co.uk/eye-health/laser-eye-surgery 
  
  
  
• Positives: Clear diagram in which you can compare the 2 main laser eye methods easily. Quick links to health risks and safety. Link to NHS website so can access more detail if neccissary. Reliable, trustworthy source as a very established company with contacts to the NHS. 
• Negatives: Diagrams are slightly too simple. You do not get a real feel for what the operation may entail. Only one image per operation method, so the audience are left still in search of an complete overview. 

Schedule

Here is my schedule I will work around. This will ensure I am on task throughout the whole project and keep timing manageable.

Change of question

My current question: Do patients have a better understanding of laser eye surgery after watching this animation?

This is a closed question, with simple a 'yes' or 'no' answer. I would like to know, by how much/what degree and why patients may have a better understanding of laser eye after watching this animation.

I am making a film in hope to help a potential patient of laser eye surgery in making relevant decisions. I want to so this through educating people on the science of the eye. There is a lot of public advertisment and access to information of laser eye surgery, but what it lacks is the process of how vision is improved. To understand why someones vision is getting better, I believe it is crucial they know how it became possible. 

Therefore... 

New Question: 'How effective is this video in increasing the viewer’s understanding of the process of laser eye surgery?'

By expanding my question, I will find it easier to reflect on what went well as well as what should be improved. It will give me a better indication of how successful my film is as it allows a more evaluative response. If there are any changes that should be made, I will be able to carry them out successfully. .
 

Deciding a question

CATARACT VS. LASER

After 1 week work experience in Moorfield's Eye Hospital and observing several operations, I realised there is a lack on knowledge on what these common procedures consist of.

First idea: Create an animation to aid patients with understanding cataract surgery.

Positives:

• Cataract surgery is very common, cheap and quick. 
• Happening all the time in the UK.
• The procedure would be easy to summarise as the science behind it is relatively simple. 
• Every human would develop age-related cataract (if we all lived for hundreds for years). 

Negatives:

• The operation is so quick and simple, it may not push my academic ability to create a short film based purely on this. 
• There are also very few developments this operation could take in the future as scientists/surgeons have found a very effecient/cost effective way already. 

Second idea: I observed several different techniques of laser eye surgery throughout the week. Laser eye is a relatively new operation, which can be used for medical use or an optional option to improve eyesight and forget about glasses.

Positives:

• There are more variations and options to laser eye, so it is important for a patient to be educated before making a decision. 
• The future holds promising changes in laser eye. A microscopic laser can make the smallest of alterations, so could be a new use for other medical surgeries.
•  My personal research in to laser eye will be more interesting. 

Negatives: 

• More time will have to be invested into designing a more complex film.
• Will need to show some of the variations of laser eye. 
• Will need to develop a sound track lasting max 2 mins. 

Conclusion: My animation will be based on laser eye surgery. 

My question: Do patients have a better understanding of laser eye surgery after watching this animation?