Creation and validation of a simulator for corneal rust ring removal.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Simulation
• Surgical Training

Background:

• Corneal rust rings are common foreign bodies requiring removal.
• Training for rust ring removal is crucial for ophthalmologists.
• Current training methods may lack sufficient practice opportunities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create and validate a simulation model for corneal rust ring removal.
• To assess the effectiveness of the simulator in training inexperienced and experienced ophthalmologists.
• To evaluate the face validity of the simulation model.

Main Methods:

• Rust rings were artificially created on cadaveric eyes.
• Medical students and ophthalmology residents practiced rust ring removal using a burr on the simulated eyes.
• Performance was evaluated based on removal time, percentage of rust removed, and corneal perforation incidence.
• A survey assessed participant perception of the simulator's validity.

Main Results:

• Inexperienced trainees took longer for rust ring removal (187±93s) compared to experienced trainees (117±54s) (p=0.046).
• Rust removal percentage was similar between groups (61±15% vs. 69±18%, p=0.38).
• No corneal perforations occurred; 100% of respondents found the simulator valuable, and 89% deemed it a valid representation of clinical practice.

Conclusions:

• The developed corneal rust ring simulator is a valid and valuable training tool.
• It can enhance comfort levels for early trainees before attempting removal on live patients.
• This simulation offers a safe and effective method for practicing a common ophthalmic procedure.