Visual Attention in Rhinoplasty: Eye-Tracking Comparison of Patients and Physicians on Profile Images.

[BACKGROUND] Visual attention influences aesthetic perception and may affect expectations and satisfaction in rhinoplasty.

[OBJECTIVES] To compare how patients and rhinoplasty surgeons visually assess facial profiles using eye-tracking technology.

[METHODS] This cross-sectional observational study included 26 patients and 13 experienced otolaryngologists. All participants viewed 21 standardized lateral facial profile photographs. Visual attention across ten facial regions was recorded using eye-tracking technology, focusing on first fixation area, total viewing time, fixation count, and revisits.

[RESULTS] Both groups focused most on the nasal region. Patients demonstrated significantly higher visual engagement with the nasal tip, including longer viewing time (25.18 ± 10.23 s vs 15.64 ± 11.19 s; P = .011) and more fixations (97.62 ± 40.64 vs 63.92 ± 42.24; P = .021). Physicians, by contrast, focused more on the radix, with longer viewing time (38.89 ± 17.49 s vs 24.91 ± 17.64 s; P = .025) and more fixations (144.38 ± 47.59 vs 108.04 ± 52.72; P = .043). No statistically significant differences were observed in other facial regions.

[CONCLUSION] Patients and surgeons focus on different nasal regions, and eye-tracking may help align their aesthetic expectations.

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