Online reviews have a powerful influence on travel purchase decisions and outweigh other considerations, including price. Price and location are primary factors influencing hotel selection. This research investigates the influence of reviews and location on travel decisions for a spring break vacation in Cancun. Prospect theory and judgmental heuristics provide a theoretical foundation for the prediction that people will exert greater effort to avoid risk versus seek reward. Participants chose between two resorts that varied in review valence and distance from the popular area in an experimental design. Participants preferred a resort with neutral versus negative reviews regardless of distance, but preference for a positive versus neutral resort declined as distance increased. When both resorts had neutral reviews, location was the main determinant of lodging choice. The findings suggest that locational superiority can be offset by negative reviews, whereas locational inferiority can be overcome by maintaining good reviews online.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate how consumers simultaneously process multiple cues for different dining occasions when making a restaurant decision. Design/methodology/approach This paper investigates the influence of priming (review prototype), effort (distance) and involvement (occasion) on restaurant evaluations, willingness to drive and willingness to pay for a restaurant meal. A 2 (prototype: negative, positive) × 2 (distance: close, far) × 2 (occasion: casual, special) between-subjects factorial design was used. Findings The paper finds that each variable influences a different outcome, whereby people rely on a review prototype for restaurant evaluation and choice, a distance cue for willingness to drive and a dining occasion for willingness to pay. Practical implications This paper suggests that restaurant marketers can highlight exemplary service through online reviews, increase profitability by promoting special occasions and geographically expand their market by attracting people to drive for a special dinner. Originality/value This paper evaluates the simultaneous interactive effects of multiple cues in service settings. It demonstrates that situational cues moderate the effect of primary cues in online reviews.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the extent to which consumers will exert more effort to avoid risk (negative reviews) versus seek reward (positive reviews) when making a restaurant decision. Design/methodology/approach This study investigates the influence of distance and review valence on restaurant decisions. A 2 (base restaurant review valence: negative, neutral) × 2 (target restaurant review valence: neutral, positive) × 2 (distance: 30 min, 60 min) between-subjects factorial design was used. Findings People exert more effort to seek a reward versus avoid a risk. People will drive any distance to dine at a restaurant with positive reviews. However, the tendency to avoid a restaurant with negative reviews declines as distance increases. Practical implications This study emphasizes the critical role of positive reviews in the restaurant industry. This research provides guidance to operators to manage online reviews effectively. The marketing strategy taking into account review valence and distance allows the business to attract new customers and grow its customer base. Originality/value This research synthesizes asymmetry effects and prospect theory with the level of risk associated with the outcome. This research is theoretically noteworthy since the finding of a reverse asymmetry principle is in contrast with the traditional belief of risk-avoidance when comparing gains and losses.

Diamond dust particles were identified within patients' eyes both during vitrectomy procedures using diamond-dusted membrane scrapers and in postoperative clinical examinations. The particles had no impact on the patients' vision and caused no apparent sequelae. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed the average particle size to be 23.4 μm and an unequal surface area for particle adhesion onto the soft tip. It was determined that diamond dust particles can dislodge from the silicone tip of the Tano diamond-dusted membrane scrapers during the insertion into valve trocars throughout vitrectomy operations and deposit on the retinal surface or within macular holes. Ophthalmologists should be aware of residual diamond particles during procedures and consider diamond dust retinopathy in the differential diagnosis of crystalline retinopathies. Understanding the appearance of residual particles on the retina allows for future studies revealing the long-term impact on patient's visual performance.

Purpose: This work characterizes the contrast sensitivity function (CSF) in patients with successful repair of macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD) using an adaptive computerized contrast testing device. Methods: CSF was prospectively measured in patients with macula-off RD following successful repair and age-matched controls at W.K. Kellogg Eye Center and Massachusetts Eye and Ear using Adaptive Sensory Technology’s Manifold Contrast Vision Meter. Outcome measures included average area under the CSF curve, contrast-sensitivity thresholds (1-18 cycles per degree), and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in RD eyes, fellow eyes, and controls. A subanalysis was performed in eyes with BCVA of 20/30 or better. Results: Twenty-three macula-off RD eyes following repair, fellow healthy eyes, and 45 age-matched control eyes underwent CSF testing. Mean BCVA of the 23 RD eyes was 0.250 logMAR, which was, significantly reduced compared with fellow eyes 0.032 ( P < .001) and controls 0.026 ( P < .001). There was a statistically significant reduction in average area under the CSF curve in RD eyes compared with fellow eyes ( P < .0001) and age-matched controls ( z score –0.90, P < .0001) and CSF reduction across all spatial frequencies. In the 15 RD eyes with BCVA of 20/30 or better, the mean CSF was significantly reduced vs fellow eyes ( P = .02) and controls ( P = .045). Conclusions: CSF in macula-off RD eyes following repair was significantly reduced compared with fellow eyes and age-matched controls. CSF may be a promising visual function end point with applications in clinical practice and future clinical trials.