Vision information center: a user-oriented data base.

In response to the information needs of scientists and physicians who work in the field of vision, we have developed a direct-access, on-line specialized information retrieval system which combines computer-assisted instruction and bibliographic retrieval. An essential feature of the system is its accessibility via remote computer terminal. The key to the data base is a thesaurus which contains specific terminology arranged in a hierarchical structure. The thesaurus is used both for indexing the literature and for retrieving the information stored in the computer. Courses of instruction on selected subjects in ophthalmology have been programmed and form part of the data base. A search of the literature retrieval system by single subject, or by a combination of several subjects chosen from the thesaurus, retrieves the appropriate bibliographic citations. The response to the service offered by the Vision Information Center indicates that the center should expand its facilities to satisfy the needs of its clients.