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Using AI to Summarize Research Papers in Ophthalmology

Writer: Atanas Bogoev M.D. and Maria CholakovaAtanas Bogoev M.D. and Maria Cholakova

Did you know AI language models like ChatGPT, Gemini, DeepSeek, and more, can summarize research papers? If you want to learn how to harness the power of artificial intelligence in the medical field, keep reading. We will guide you with tips on how to write your prompts and use AI more effectively.


AI is a viable tool for summarizing research papers, extracting key points, and simplifying complex information. However, note that AI-generated summaries can sometimes be inaccurate. So if you use ChatGPT or a similar model to summarize research papers, always double-check and verify important details.


Now let's dive into the details:


Summarize Ophthalmology Research Using AI


Step 1. Get the Paper Ready


Before summarizing a research paper, you should give AI access to the contents of the paper.


  1. Download the paper

  2. Extract key sections

  3. Include methods and results


Obtain the PDF or full text of the research article.


key sections of a research paper

Copy the abstract, introduction, and conclusion for a quick summary. Or you could upload the file directly in the AI chat. If you need a detailed summary incorporate these sections to understand the study design and findings.


Step 2. Use ChatGPT to Summarize


Once you have the text, paste it into ChatGPT and use specific prompts for better results:


  • Basic Summary

    • “Summarize this research paper in simple terms.”

    • "Here is a research paper on the topic [Your Topic], summarize it in a professional tone:[Paste the key sections/research paper]."


  • Key Findings

    • “List the main findings and conclusions of this study.”


  • Clinical Relevance

    • “How does this research impact ophthalmology practice?”


  • Structured Summary

    • “Summarize this paper in bullet points under Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusion.”

  • Table Summary

    • “Summarize the results of this paper in a table format.”


specific prompts

Step 3. Ask for More Details or Clarifications


If needed, refine the research paper summary using additional prompts:


  • “Explain the methodology in simpler terms.”

  • “Break down the statistical analysis used in this study.”

  • “Rewrite this summary in a more technical/professional tone.”


A great way to improve AI-generated summaries is:


  1. Be specific in the info you provide

  2. Use multiple prompts

  3. Try different summary styles

  4. Check for bias


The more details you provide, the better the AI summary. You don't have to accept the first summary AI generates. Always ask AI to rephrase or add missing points to refine your results.

refine research papers

Once generated, the summary will not disappear. Feel free to request short bullet points, detailed paragraphs, or layman’s terms. Ask directly, AI these days is quite advanced and will understand what you mean.


Careful, AI models may introduce unintentional bias, so rely on the original paper for interpretation!

Step 4. Verify & Cross-Check Information


AI can misinterpret or oversimplify details. To ensure accuracy:


  1. Compare the summary with the original text

  2. Verify statistics and references

  3. Use AI as a tool, not a replacement for critical reading


Check if key details in the paper are preserved in the AI-generated summary. Double-check statistics, numbers, references, important data, and citations. AI helps streamline research paper summarization but should not replace critical reading.


Step 5. Use AI for Paper Comparisons & Trends


AI can also analyze multiple studies and trends.


The extra prompts to try out for research paper comparison:


  • “Compare the findings of these two papers and highlight differences.”

  • “Summarize the latest research trends on [your topic].”

research paper refine


Step 6. AI for Citations & Keywords


Enhance your summary with citation and keyword generation.


Some example prompts to use are:


  • “Generate a list of key terms from this paper.”

  • "Suggest how to cite this research in APA/MLA format."

  • “Provide citation suggestions for this research, ensuring correct author attribution and journal details.”

  • “Identify any MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) terms relevant to this study for easier indexing and retrieval.”


Now you can effectively summarize ophthalmology research papers using ChatGPT, DeepSeek, and other AI models, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and relevance. AI can be a powerful research assistant, but you should always fact-check its output to ensure accuracy!

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