Prevalence of biometry assessment experiences among trainee ophthalmologists in the United Kingdom

To determine the biometry assessment experiences of senior house officers (SHOs) during basic surgical training (BST).

This is a postal survey of SHOs in recognized UK surgical training posts from April 2005 to November 2005. Data collected included SHO proficiency in various types of biometry, practical biometry experience and opinions as to whether performing biometry is still a required skill.

Of 460 SHOs who were sent questionnaires 279 (60.1%) responded. Only 13% of respondents received formal training in biometry while 43% received informal training in biometry from either senior colleagues or nurses. SHOs maintained they were proficient in different types of biometry including contact biometry (49%), non contact biometry (45%), immersion biometry (2.5%) and keratometry (81%). If their current unit, 84% of SHOs did not perform any biometry. Although the majority of SHOs reported familiarity with IOL power prediction formulae, there was no consistency among the SHOs working in the same unit. Despite the lack of exposure to biometry, most (88%) felt that biometry was still a required skill.

This study highlights the lack of training and low prevalence of performing biometry among trainee ophthalmologists. As proficiency in biometry is part of BST and the majority of the trainees wished to learn the skill, it is hoped that this issue will be addressed in the new Ophthalmic Specialist Training curriculum.