Virtual reality cataract surgery training: learning curves and concurrent validity

Abstract

Abstract.Purpose: To investigate initial learning curves on a virtual reality (VR) eye surgery simulator and whether achieved skills are transferable between tasks.Methods: Thirty‐five medical students were randomized to complete ten iterations on either the VR Caspulorhexis module (group A) or the Cataract navigation training module (group B) and then two iterations on the other module. Learning curves were compared between groups. The second Capsulorhexis video was saved and evaluated with the performance rating tool Objective Structured Assessment of Cataract Surgical Skill (OSACSS). The students’ stereoacuity was examined.Results: Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in performance over the 10 iterations: group A for all parameters analysed including score (p < 0.0001), time (p < 0.0001) and corneal damage (p = 0.0003), group B for time (p < 0.0001), corneal damage (p < 0.0001) but not for score (p = 0.752). Training on one module did not improve performance on the other. Capsulorhexis score correlated significantly with evaluation of the videos using the OSACSS performance rating tool. For stereoacuity < and ≥120 seconds of arc, sum of both modules’ second iteration score was 73.5 and 41.0, respectively (p = 0.062).Conclusion: An initial rapid improvement in performance on a simulator with repeated practice was shown. For capsulorhexis, 10 iterations with only simulator feedback are not enough to reach a plateau for overall score. Skills transfer between modules was not found suggesting benefits from training on both modules. Stereoacuity may be of importance in the recruitment and training of new cataract surgeons. Additional studies are needed to investigate this further. Concurrent validity was found for Capsulorhexis module.

Operator experience determines performance in a simulated computer-based brain tumor resection task

“…Coached medical students also showed less aspirator movement. This is consistent with other studies of non-neurosurgical simulators [15,28,29]. Future studies in which medical students are coached for more sessions may provide more insight into the effect of coaching on the acquisition of skills in a virtual surgery simulator.…”

“…However, this study is limited in that the data were obtained from a single novice and a single expert surgeon. While larger simulation studies exist for other fields [14][15][16], no such study of sufficient sample size exists for neurosurgery.…”

Effect of Caffeine Intake on Retinal Microsurgical Performance

“…In the area of ophthalmology, the Eye-Si (Eye-Si/Series 199, VRMagic, Software 2.9, Mannheim, Germany) has been scientifically validated for most ophthalmologic microsurgical tasks; novices perform worse than experts who already have the skill that is to be taught on the simulator [9][10][11]. A direct correlation has been found between surgical experience and the performance of the navigation task.…”

Stereoacuity and intraocular surgical skill: Effect of stereoacuity level on virtual reality intraocular surgical performance

“…Whether the level of stereoacuity is relevant for individuals eligible for intraocular surgical profession has not been fully assessed, and none of the studies of intraocular surgery simulators 8,9 reports a more detailed correlation between stereoacuity and performance.…”