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Updated: Jun 7, 2026
A Novel Capsulorhexis Technique Using Shearing Forces with Cystotome
Published on: May 15, 2010
Construct validity of a surgical simulator as a valid model for capsulorhexis training
Brian Privett1, Emily Greenlee, Gina Rogers
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.
Purpose:
To compare the performance on the EYESi surgical simulator capsulorhexis training module between medical students and residents and experienced cataract surgeons.
Setting:
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.
Design:
Comparative case series.
Methods:
The study comprised medical students and residents at the University of Iowa and experienced cataract surgeons. Neither group had experience with the simulator. Each participant completed 4 trials on the capsulorhexis module.
Results:
The 7 experienced surgeons achieved statistically significantly better total scores than the 16 medical students and residents on the easy level and the medium level of the capsulorhexis module (P = .004 and P = .000007, respectively). Experienced surgeons achieved significantly better scores in all parameters at the medium level, with better centering (P = .001), less corneal injury (P = .02), fewer spikes (P = .03), less time operating without a red reflex (P = .0005), better roundness of the capsulorhexis (P = .003), and less time completing tasks (P = .008).
Conclusion:
The surgical simulator capsulorhexis module showed significant construct validity (P<.05).
