Posters

Establishment of a validated training program on the Eyesi cataract simulator: a prospective randomized study

Poster Details

First Author: J.Bergqvist DENMARK

Co Author(s):    A. Person   A. Vestergaard   J. Grauslund        

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To establish and evaluate a systematic training program for simulated cataract surgery. Furthermore, we wanted to examine whether repetitive training with four sessions a month was a more effective method for learning than two sessions in the same period.

Setting:

Department of Ophthalmology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark

Methods:

A prospective, randomized study. Medical students (n=20) within a year from graduation and with no previous ophthalmic experience were included in this prospective study and randomized into two groups. Group A (n=10) completed the Eyesi cataract simulator training program once a week for four weeks while Group B (n=10) completed it once a week at the first and the last week. Score per analyzed module (two different levels of Capsulorhexis (A and B), Hydromaneuver, Phaco divide-and-conquer), Overall score, Total time, Cornea injury, Capsule rupture, and Capsule damage by ultrasound were recorded. Furthermore, two cataract surgeons were used to determine two different levels of reference scores.

Results:

Group A outperformed Group B in several modules, reached a significant higher number of reference scores (P<0.01), and caused fewer complications with regard to Capsule rupture (P=0.01) and Capsule damage by ultrasound (P<0.05). Both group A and B improved their performance and also became more time efficient (P<0.01 for both groups). Group A showed positive learning curves for Overall score (P<0.01), Capsulorhexis A (P<0.01), Capsulorhexis B (P<0.01), and Hydromaneuver (P=0.01). Group B showed a significant improvement for Overall score (P<0.01), Hydromaneuver (P=0.02) and Phaco divide-and-conquer (P<0.01).

Conclusions:

Repetitive training with a systematic training program, based on validated modules in the Eyesi simulator, was shown to improve simulated cataract surgery skills. Higher level of skills and more reference scores were reached with more training. Neither training approach was sufficient to reach a reference level for a majority of the subjects. Furthermore, the program was optimized to be applied into the standard ophthalmological curriculum for cataract surgery training. FINANCIAL INTEREST: NONE