Artificial Intelligence In Ophthalmic Patient Education: A Comparative Analysis With Ai, Search Engines, And Human Expertise

To compare the accuracy, comprehensiveness, clarity, consistency, and credibility of LASIK surgery
information provided by AI models, Google, and ophthalmologists.

Academic ophthalmology setting evaluating digital and human sources of LASIK patient education.

A structured questionnaire covering key LASIK topics—including procedure details, eligibility, risks,
post-operative care, and long-term outcomes was developed based on previously published
literature. Three AI models (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude), Google search results, and ophthalmologists
were asked to respond to the same set of questions. A scoring system (0-10) was applied to evaluate
the responses across five parameters: accuracy, comprehensiveness, clarity, consistency, and source
credibility. The final scores were analyzed to determine the most reliable source of LASIK-related
information.

Ophthalmologists provided the most accurate and comprehensive responses, achieving the highest
total score of 24.9/25. AI models demonstrated better clarity and consistency compared to Google
search results but lacked medical nuance and credibility, with ChatGPT scoring 20.0/25, Gemini
19.3/25, and Claude 18.5/25. Google scored lowest 15.3/25, due to inconsistencies, outdated
sources, and the influence of non-medical content. AI models provided structured and easy-to-
understand responses but failed to cite authoritative medical sources, reducing their credibility.

While AI models offer clear and consistent LASIK-related information, their lack of depth and verified
sources limits their reliability in patient education. Google search results remain inconsistent and
prone to misinformation. Human ophthalmologists continue to be the most accurate and
comprehensive source of LASIK information, emphasizing the need for professional consultations in
medical decision-making. AI models can serve as supplementary tools but require improvements in
source citation and depth to enhance their effectiveness in ophthalmic patient education.