Safe and effective intraocular lens implantation in a teaching environment

Intraocular lens implantation was performed as part of a residency training program over a period of two years. Both residents and faculty performed surgery, using anterior chamber angle-fixated (Tennant-Choyce) and iris-fixated (Worst Medallion) lenses. Data with at least three months of follow-up were collected on 148 patients. Of these, visual acuity of 20/40 or better was achieved in 65% (68% of resident cases, 61% of faculty cases). Cystoid macular edema was the most common complication (13% of all cases) occurring nearly twice as often in resident cases. Based on the above, the authors conclude that it is justified to continue a program of lens implantation in a training environment.