First assisting in cataract surgery: program results

1. This program was established to teach non-physicians to first assist in cataract surgery, since third party payors would no longer pay for physicians to first assist. 2. Among the advantages to utilizing non-physician first assistants are: availability, reliability, familiarity with instruments and equipment, and quality of service. 3. The questionnaire results confirm that the advantages of having non-physician first assistants far outweigh the disadvantages.