One of the easiest ways to begin your publishing career is to present a poster during one of the many annual meetings held by professional optometry. These meetings include but are not limited to the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, American Academy of Optometry and the American Optometric Association. This presentation reviews the step by step process involved in writing an abstract that will be accepted for presentation by these and other organizations most of the time. Once the abstract is written, you are one third of the way to making a significant contribution to the optometric literature. The other two thirds include, creating the poster and writing the final paper to be submitted to an appropriate journal for publication (the last two topics will be addressed at other meetings and/or within future VDR articles). You are encouraged to bring information for a case report and/or case series that you wish to use for a poster in the future.

1. 4/8/2016
1
Writing the
Perfect Poster
Abstract in 20
Minutes or Less
Dominick M. Maino, OD, MEd, FAAO, FCOVD‐A
Professor of Pediatrics/Binocular Vision
Illinois Eye Institute/Illinois College of Optometry
Lyons Family Eye Care
Chicago, Il
dmaino@ico.edu
ICO.edu
LyonsFamilyEyeCare.com
FB: Vision Therapy at
Lyons Family Eye Care
Writing the Perfect Abstract
One of the easiest ways to begin your publishing career is to present a poster
during one of the many annual meetings held by professional optometry. These
meetings include but are not limited to the College of Optometrists in Vision
Development, American Academy of Optometry and the American Optometric
Association. This presentation reviews the step by step process involved in
writing an abstract that will be accepted for presentation by these and other
organizations most of the time. Once the abstract is written, you are one third
of the way to making a significant contribution to the optometric literature. The
other two thirds include, creating the poster and writing the final paper to be
submitted to an appropriate journal for publication (the last two topics will be
addressed at other meetings and/or within future VDR articles). You are
encouraged to bring information for a case report and/or case series that you
wish to use for a poster in the future.
Writing the Perfect Abstract
Before the writing begins
Choose one or more cases for your abstract
This case should be unique, new or unusual
The case should highlight timely or essential
information
The case should demonstrate complete follow‐
through of patient care
The case should be appropriate for your audience
Writing the Perfect Abstract
Submitting the Abstract
Follow the Rules of Submission!!!
Follow the Guidelines Explicitly!
The abstract submission form must be
filled out completely

2. 4/8/2016
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Writing the Perfect Abstract
Writing the Case Report/Case Series Abstract
Follow the Recommended Format of a Case
Report
TITLE: Title should be short and indicative of
the nature of the case report
Think of a title that uses “hot topic” words.
Some reviewers like “cutesy” titles, some do
not.
Background: This should give sufficient
information so that your case report’s
uniqueness is obvious
Writing the Perfect Abstract
Case Summary: This should include:
Who (tell me about the patient/s)
What (what was the intervention)
How (how did you treat this patient,
intervention/therapy techniques used)
Outcomes (include the most
important data that a reviewer needs
to evaluate your case report,
before/after findings, quality of life
improvements, demonstrate
completed care and not be an “in
progress” report, etc)
Writing the Perfect Abstract
Conclusion:
This should once again
highlight the
uniqueness of the case
report and why the
information contained
within the report will
lead to enhanced
patient care, improved
outcomes and an
enriched quality of life
for your patient.
Writing the Perfect Abstract
Quick Review of Essentials When Writing the Case Report
Tell the reviewer why this case is unique, new and/or
unusual. The uniqueness may be obvious to you, but
not to the reviewer.
The information conveyed must be of sufficient
general interest to the community
The abstract must be clear, concise, and well‐written
in anticipation of publication
The abstract must contain sufficient detail for
evaluation
The case report must highlight timely or essential
information, not just a review of information already
in the literature
Writing the Perfect Abstract
The case report/series must be unique
The case report must demonstrate complete
follow‐through of patient care
The clinical significance of the case report
must be clear from the abstract
Writing the Perfect Abstract
Example
This poster was accepted for the June 2016 meeting of the AOA (Authors: Dominick M. Maino, OD, MEd, FAAO, FCOVD‐A;
Stephanie Lyons, OD; Kelsey Fredericks OD; Rachael Barker, OD all at Lyons Family Eye Care in Chicago)
Title: Neuroplasticity and Vision Therapy for Adults: A Case Series
Background:
Optometric Vision Therapy is considered a viable treatment option for
children with various binocular vision disorders (strabismus, amblyopia and
other dysfunctions of the binocular vision system). Unfortunately, children
with these disorders, if left untreated, become adults with strabismus,
amblyopia, convergence insufficiency, etc. Current research suggests that the
human visual system retains a good deal of neuroplasticity into adulthood and
that even senior individuals can learn new ways of seeing. Unfortunately,
optometrists are less likely to suggest vision therapy to their adult patients
even though it has been shown to be effective for various groups within the
adult population.

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3
Writing the Perfect Abstract
Case Series/Summary:
The diagnostic data, therapy utilized and treatment outcomes are
presented for 3 adults with strabismus. LM is a 69 y/o WM who
presented with severe symptoms associated with one or more vision
dysfunctions (intermittent exotropia at near, convergence
insufficiency, diplopia) that interfered with his ability to work. MP is
a 24 y/o WF with a post‐surgical (surgery at age 5 years) intermittent
esotropia, convergence excess (variable), accommodative
insufficiency and suppression. The final patient (SP) is a 29 y/o BF
with a 90PD IAXT, diplopia, accommodative excess and oculomotor
dysfunction. Depending upon the patient noted above, anywhere
from 29 to 42, 45 minute in office vision therapy sessions resulted in
significant improvement in vision function and relief of symptoms
for up to 2 years post therapeutic intervention.
Writing the Perfect Abstract
Discussion/Conclusion:
The visual cortex has the capacity for experience dependent
change (neuroplasticity) throughout life. Unfortunately,
when it comes to the adult with binocular vision problems,
this is not always recognized as being true even though
there is strong clinical evidence to suggest a high level of
adult neuroplasticity. Current research shows that adults
tend to have numerous anomalies associated with the
binocular vision system especially within certain
populations. This case series demonstrates how those even
approaching 70 years of age can benefit from optometric
vision therapy.
Writing the Perfect Abstract
Does this abstract meet all of the requirements to be accepted by
the reviewers?
Title: Neuroplasticity and Vision Therapy for Adults:
A Case Series
Short title, Hot topic, Suggests uniqueness,
Tells you what is to come
“Neuroplasticity”: Hot topic word
` “Vision Therapy for Adults”: Why unique
“A Case Series”: What you are presenting
Writing the Perfect Abstract
Case Series/Summary:
“The diagnostic data, therapy utilized and treatment
outcomes are presented for 3 adults with strabismus”:
Note I did not use the phrase “will be” but rather “are”.
“Will be” may be interpreted as an ongoing activity and
not one of completed patient care.
“LM is a 69 y/o WM who presented with severe
symptoms associated with one or more vision
dysfunctions…: This section gives you some basic data,
tells you Who, What, How and the significant outcomes.
Writing the Perfect Abstract
Discussion/Conclusion:
“The visual cortex has the capacity for experience
dependent change (neuroplasticity) throughout life.” Hot
topic
“Unfortunately, when it comes to the adult with binocular
vision problems, this is not always recognized as being true
even though there is strong clinical evidence to suggest a
high level of adult neuroplasticity. Current research shows
that adults tend to have numerous anomalies associated
with the binocular vision system especially within certain
populations.” Demonstrates Uniqueness, Uses Hot Topic
Word again, Suggests need within “certain populations”.
Writing the Perfect Abstract
“This case series demonstrates how those
even approaching 70 years of age can
benefit from optometric vision therapy.”
Highlights uniqueness (adults/seniors),
shows enhanced patient care, improved
outcomes and an enriched quality of life.

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Writing the Perfect Abstract
Limitations
Most organizations will
only let you use a limited
number of words in your
abstract. Choose these
words carefully!
Writing the Perfect Abstract
Most organizations should
have a reviewer with content
expertise review your poster. Depending upon the audience,
the example given above may or may not have been accepted.
For instance, this was for the general OD audience that
attends the AOA meeting therefore very appropriate. It was
reviewed by a Fellow of COVD who is also a Diplomate in the
AAO (a great content expert!). This may not be true for all
organizations. Would this same abstract be appropriate for
the COVD members? Would this be unique enough? Would
this tell COVD members something new, or something they did
not know?
Writing the Perfect Abstract
The Presentation Rule:
Writing the Perfect Abstract
Questions?
Cases?
Discussion
Dominick M. Maino, OD, MEd, FAAO, FCOVD‐A
Professor of Pediatrics/Binocular Vision Illinois Eye Institute
Illinois College of Optometry
3241 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, Il 60616
Lyons Family Eye Care
3250 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago, Il 60657
dmaino@ico.edu
ICO.edu
LyonsFamilyEyeCare.com
FB: Vision Therapy at Lyons
Family Eye Care