Measuring Outcomes of Mohs Defect Reconstruction Using Eye-Tracking Technology

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology and Visual Science
• Plastic Surgery
• Psychology and Behavioral Science

Background:

• Mohs micrographic surgery defects can impact facial aesthetics and social perception.
• Quantifying the attentional effects of these defects is crucial for patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To objectively measure how Mohs defect reconstruction influences casual observer attention using eye-tracking technology.
• To assess the normalization of facial attention following reconstructive surgery for Mohs defects.

Main Methods:

• An observational study involving 82 observers and 32 patients with Mohs facial defects.
• Eye-tracking recorded attention patterns on pre- and post-reconstruction photos compared to control faces.
• Mixed-effects linear regression analyzed the association between reconstruction and normalized facial attention.

Main Results:

• Normal attention focuses on the central triangle (eyes, nose, mouth), with eyes being the primary focus (39% of total attention).
• Mohs defects significantly altered attention patterns, with larger, central defects causing more distraction (up to 3693 ms).
• Reconstruction improved attention deviations, normalizing eye focus for most defects, except large central ones.

Conclusions:

• Mohs defects disrupt normal facial perception by diverting attention.
• Reconstructive surgery can normalize attentional distraction for many Mohs defects.
• Eye tracking is a valuable tool for assessing reconstructive surgery outcomes and predicting results based on defect characteristics.