title: Ocular surface squamous neoplasia: a survey of changes in the standard of care from 2003 to 2012.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the current standard of care of ophthalmologists who are likely to encounter ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) in their practices and to compare this with data gathered in 2003.
  
  
  METHODS
  Invitations to a web-based survey were sent to members of the Ocular Microbiology and Immunology Group. In addition, the survey was posted to the Cornea Society Listserv, Keranet. The survey contained questions regarding the surgical and medical management of OSSN and postcare follow-up. The results of this survey were compared with the results of a 2003 survey, where possible, to identify the areas of change in the standard of care.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-one ophthalmologists participated in the survey. Seventy-nine percent of the responders thought that there was enough evidence for topical monotherapy in OSSN, but only 58% reported ever using topical agents as monotherapy. First-line topical therapy was interferon α2b (56%) followed by mitomycin C (MMC) (37%). A shift from surgical excision alone to excision followed by topical therapy was seen when comparing the 2012 survey to the 2003 survey. The preferred postexcision topical agent was MMC. Seventy-five percent of responders evaluate their patients every 2 to 4 months during the first 2 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Topical agents were being used more in 2012, either in combination with surgical excision or as monotherapy, compared with those used in 2003. Interferon has replaced MMC as the agent most used for topical monotherapy, possibly because of a favorable safety and tolerance profile. Prospective randomized trials are needed to better define the ideal practice patterns.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Oklahoma City, OK; and †Department of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Dean A. McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma City, OK.
authors.forename: Eldad
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Adler
authors.forename: Joseph R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: Donald U
authors.initials: DU
authors.lastname: Stone
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D003230:Conjunctival Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018307:Neoplasms, Squamous Cell / Q000628:therapy*; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000592:standards*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D059039:Standard of Care
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007155:Immunologic Factors