Simulated ocular surgery

Building cataract and vitreoretinal surgical skills can be challenging and stressful due to a steep learning curve and high stakes for the patient. In addition, most residents have limited exposure to microsurgery in medical school, which can create additional stress. Ophthalmic graduate medical programs have moved toward the integration of virtual simulation technology into resident cataract surgery training. The simulated ophthalmologic surgery courses are a group of three teaching programmes held in Lisbon: “Cataract beginners’ course”, “Video Symposium and Cataract advanced course” and “Vitreoretinal surgery basic course”. These 2 days courses included a group of lectures and “tips and tricks from experts” on the first day. On the second day a monitor was attributed to every trainee for the practical course. Different steps of surgery were trained in the Simulator, Wet‐lab surgery ont the Phillips ® artificial eyes and Fluidics on the phacoemulsification system. Eyesi ® indirect augmented reality simulator for indirect ophthalmoscopy is also included on these courses. Trainees completed an evaluation sheet before starting the course. A registration form indicating the specific surgical steps to be trained and the selected difficulty level was filled out. A similar evaluation sheet was completed by the monitor for each trainee, and discussion was held at the end of the day between the trainer and the trainee evaluating the day's session. The tool is useful to develop self‐awareness among trainees and to identify gaps, lead active continuous professional development plan, and eventually improve their surgical skills before ever operating on a live patient.