Objective Quality Assessment of the Capsulorhexis - A Novel Augmented Reality Tool for Trainees and Experts

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Education
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Cataract surgery training requires effective tools to develop essential surgical skills.
• Developing objective metrics for surgical skill assessment is crucial for effective training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the usability and effectiveness of a smartphone-based augmented reality (AR) system for capsulorhexis training.
• To compare AR-assisted training with expert guidance and unassisted training.

Main Methods:

• A prospective clinical study involved surgery-naïve residents divided into three groups: AR-assisted, expert-supported, and unassisted.
• Capsulorhexis quality was assessed based on circularity, centration, and radius.
• Procedure duration and participant feedback were also collected.

Main Results:

• The AR group demonstrated statistically significant improvement in capsulorhexis circularity compared to expert and unassisted groups.
• Procedure duration decreased significantly across all groups with practice.
• Participants found wet lab training highly important and the setup adequate.

Conclusions:

• Augmented reality, specifically the Custom Surgical MicroREC system, can positively impact capsulorhexis quality in a training setting.
• Automated quality metrics from AR software provide objective surgical procedure scoring.
• This AR system serves as a valuable tool for both surgical trainees and experienced surgeons.