ChatGPT and Ophthalmology: Exploring Its Potential with Discharge Summaries and Operative Notes

Purpose: This study aimed to report the abilities of the large language model ChatGPT(R) (OpenAI, San Francisco, USA) in constructing ophthalmic discharge summaries and operative notes. Methods: A set of prompts was constructed through statements incorporating common ophthalmic surgeries across the subspecialties of the cornea, retina, glaucoma, paediatric ophthalmology, neuroophthalmology, and ophthalmic plastics surgery. The responses of ChatGPT were assessed by three surgeons carefully and analyzed them for evidence-based content, specificity of the response, presence of generic text, disclaimers, factual inaccuracies, and its abilities to admit mistakes and challenge incorrect premises. Results: A total of 24 prompts were presented to the ChatGPT. Twelve prompts assessed its ability to construct discharge summaries, and an equal number explored the potential for preparing operative notes. The response was found to be tailored based on the quality of inputs given and was provided in a matter of seconds. The ophthalmic discharge summaries had a valid but significant generic text. ChatGPT could incorporate specific medications, follow-up instructions, consultation time, and location within the discharge summaries when prompted appropriately. While the operative notes were detailed, they required significant tuning. ChatGPT routinely admits its mistakes and corrects itself immediately when confronted with factual inaccuracies. The mistakes are avoided in subsequent reports when given similar prompts. Conclusion: The performance of ChatGPT in the context of ophthalmic discharge summaries and operative notes was encouraging. These are constructed rapidly in a matter of seconds. Focused training of ChatGPT on these issues with inclusion of a human verification step has an enormous potential to impact healthcare positively.