Trans-scleral Cyclophotocoagulation Curriculum: Lecture and Skills Practice

Trans-scleral cyclophotocoagulation (TS-CPC) is a laser procedure that is often used in the treatment of end-stage glaucoma and glaucoma that is refractory to medical and surgical treatments. However, formal teaching in proper indications and techniques for TS-CPC can be improved in many institutions. In an effort to standardize TS-CPC teaching, a TS-CPC lecture curriculum and a skills practice session were introduced.

The lecture and the wet-lab curriculum were developed at the University of Washington to formally teach first- and second-year ophthalmology residents the indications and techniques for TS-CPC. A global rating scale of procedural performance was also developed to assist in evaluating the trained residents on their first three TS-CPC procedures.

Since its introduction in 2017, the course has been highly rated by seven residents (five PGY-2 and two PGY-3), with an increase in pre- versus posttest scores, as well as an increase in pre- versus postcurriculum scores for three survey questions regarding curriculum objectives.

We feel that this course is valuable in improving learner knowledge of and confidence in performing TS-CPC. Knowledge about indications and technical aspects of TS-CPC improved on testing following the curriculum, as did the self-assessed confidence levels of the residents. Furthermore, there were a number of positive descriptive comments made by the residents. We plan to hold this training session every year at our institution.