The value of observational studies in eye care today

Health care professionals are taught that the “gold standard” evidence to guide clinical decisions is the randomized clinical trial (RCT). Although I take no issue with the statement, it ignores the foundational role of observational studies to provide background information to characterize diseases. This information is essential to design a robust RCT. RCTs can demonstrate many things: whether treatments work to manage or cure diseases, which type of patient is best suited for the treatment, what side effects can be expected, and the proper dosage of a drug or design of a device, to name a few.
Source: Contact Lens and Anterior Eye - Category: Opthalmology Authors: Tags: Guest Editorial Source Type: research