Establishment of a validated training programme on the Eyesi cataract simulator. A prospective randomized study

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Simulation
• Medical Education

Background:

• Cataract surgery requires extensive training for proficiency.
• Ophthalmologic residency programs seek effective methods to teach surgical skills.
• Virtual reality simulators offer a safe environment for surgical skill development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish and evaluate a systematic cataract surgery training program for ophthalmology residents.
• To assess the impact of training frequency on skill acquisition and performance in simulated cataract surgery.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 20 medical students with no prior ophthalmic experience.
• Randomization into two groups: Group A (weekly 4-week training) and Group B (bi-weekly training).
• Performance evaluation using the Eyesi cataract simulator, measuring scores, time, and complications.

Main Results:

• Group A demonstrated superior performance, achieving significantly higher reference scores and fewer complications (capsule rupture, ultrasound damage).
• Both groups showed significant improvements in performance and time efficiency with training.
• Group A exhibited positive learning curves across multiple modules, indicating consistent skill development.

Conclusions:

• A systematic, repetitive training program using validated Eyesi simulator modules enhances simulated cataract surgery skills.
• Increased training frequency correlates with higher skill levels and better surgical outcomes.
• The developed program is suitable for integration into standard ophthalmology curricula for cataract surgery training.