The Versatile Teaching Eye: an affordable, 3D-printed model eye for simulating ophthalmic examination

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Education
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Ophthalmic training requires effective simulation tools for practical skill development.
• Limited resources in some regions hinder access to advanced training equipment.
• Innovative, low-cost solutions are needed to enhance ophthalmic education globally.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the Versatile Teaching Eye (VT Eye), a 3D-printed ophthalmic examination simulator.
• To evaluate the VT Eye's effectiveness in an ophthalmic training curriculum in Ghana.
• To assess the impact of the VT Eye on trainee confidence and skill acquisition.

Main Methods:

• The VT Eye was designed using TinkerCAD and 3D-printed with ABS plastic.
• The model incorporates a smartphone adapter for digital funduscopy and an analog fundus for traditional examinations.
• A pilot program involved 6 residents practicing various examination techniques over 2 weeks, with pre- and post-training surveys.

Main Results:

• The VT Eye provides a cost-effective (<$30 USD) training environment for diverse fundus examination techniques.
• Trainees showed significant increases in confidence: 30% for posterior pole views, 42% for periphery visualization, and 141% for pathology capture using smartphones.
• The device facilitates indirect examination practice without requiring specialized headsets.

Conclusions:

• The VT Eye is a reproducible, affordable, and effective ophthalmic training tool.
• It can be readily integrated into curricula, especially in resource-limited settings.
• The VT Eye demonstrates the potential of innovative technology to improve global medical education.