Purpose:

To describe the results obtained by the application of a survey to a group of ophthalmologists who are members of the Asociación Mexicana de Oftalmología Pediátrica (AMOP), Sociedad Latinoamericana de Oftalmología Pediátrica (SOPLA) and Sociedad Panamericana de Retinopatía del Prematuro (SPROP), about practice patterns, diagnostic techniques, current knowledge, and future educational interests about ophthalmic genetic disorders.

Methods:

Cross-sectional, descriptive study. An online survey of 24 questions was shared through electronic invitations. Statistical analysis used descriptive statistics for the main variables, obtaining prevalences and expressing the results as percentages.

Results:

From the 100 physicians interviewed, 73% reported not carrying out genetic tests on patients with probable genetic eye disorders. Conditions as nystagmus, juvenile/congenital cataract and congenital glaucoma, were associated in 77%, 95% and 94%, respectively, to have a genetic component in their etiologies. Fifty-five percent of physicians reported not being familiar with genetic diagnostic techniques. The interest of physicians to learn about applied genetics in their clinical practice is high (64%), showing special interest in whole exome sequencing.

Conclusions:

In the clinical practice of physicians, there is a deficiency in the recognition of diseases with a genetic origin, as well as in their diagnostic approach.

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