Jeremy Tan, Mark Gillies, Stephanie Watson

Purpose: To evaluate the structure and research out- comes of clinical registries in ophthalmology reported in the medical literature.
Method: We performed a systematic literature search in the PubMed database. We included clini- cal registries speciftc to ophthalmic conditions/dis- eases, or ophthalmic complications of a systemic disease.
Results: A total of 81 clinical eye registries were identifted, including blind, cataract, corneal trans- plantation, endophthalmitis, glaucoma, trauma, reti- nal and miscellaneous registries. The majority of these registries were initiated since the 1980s and has been steadily increasing in number since. Registry-based studies have been used to study real-world clinical outcomes, quality measurement and improvement and to inform the development of new guidelines and standards, particularly in the areas of macular degeneration, cataract surgery and corneal transplantation. Contributions to epidemiol- ogy and outcomes of blindness and low-vision, dis- ease, adverse events have also been made.
Conclusion: There has been strong growth in num- bers and research outcomes of clinical eye registries in the last few decades. These registries will con- tinue to drive improvements in quality and ftll important evidence gaps in ophthalmic research.