PurposeTo compare the surgical duration for routine phacoemulsification surgeries in residents with and without virtual simulator training.MethodsRetrospective cohort study of operative times of routine phacoemulsification cataract surgeries performed by 29 different third-year residents rotating at one academic institution. One group underwent mandatory virtual cataract surgery simulator training (SIM) in their second year of residency before starting surgeries while the other group did not undergo any simulator training (NOSIM). Outcomes measured were comparative surgical times and vitreous loss rates between groups in their third year of residency.Results722 surgeries were included. Surgeries in the SIM group were on average 6.7 min (min) shorter compared to the NOSIM group (P = 0.0001). Although both groups required less time for surgery over the course of the academic year, regression analysis showed that NOSIM group residents overall required 17% longer time for an uncomplicated clear corneal phacoemulsification surgery (incidence rate ratio 1.17; p = 0.0001). In the final month of their residency residents in the SIM group (32.2 ± 3 min) were 9 min faster than NOSIM peers (41.2 ± 3 min mean ± SE; p = 0.02). Vitreous loss rates were 1.4% in the SIM group and 3.6% in the NOSIM group (p = 0.06).Conclusion and ImportanceEarly and continuous implementation of mandatory virtual simulator surgical training before starting intraocular surgeries significantly decreases operative times in third year residents learning phacoemulsification compared to non-simulator trained peers.

Introduction In 2017, over 75,000 cataract surgeries were performed within the Veterans Health Administration System (VHA). Previous reports of outcomes of cataract surgery in veterans include patients with pre-existing ocular disease, which can affect vision. To exclude the confounding factor of pre-existing ocular comorbidities, we investigated the long-term visual outcomes and complications associated with small incision cataract surgery performed on veterans without any pre-existing eye disease. Materials and Methods Institutional Review Board approved cohort study with detailed retrospective chart review of all phacoemulsification (small incision) cataract surgeries performed at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Washington D.C. over 11 years, including all pre-and postoperative visits until postoperative month 12. Results A total of 1,513 consecutive surgical cases without any pre-existing ocular disease except the cataract were included. Vision improved significantly after cataract surgery compared to the preoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (p = 0.0001) and remained stable over the first intra- and postoperative year. All eyes without complicated surgery and 99.1% of eyes with complications achieved 20/40 or better final vision postoperatively. The most common intra-and postoperative complications were vitreous loss (3.1%) and cystoid macular edema (CME; 1.4%). Patients with complications achieved final mean BCVA of 0.04 (20/22, vitreous loss) and 0.06 (20/23, CME) mean logMAR (Snellen). Conclusion Analysis of 11 years of small incision cataract surgery in eyes without pre-existing ocular disease within the VHA showed significant improvement in vision and stability 12 months after uncomplicated and complicated surgery in veterans.

We describe a case of a 37-year-old veteran with recurrent conjunctival hyperemia 5 years after an eye-whitening conjunctivectomy procedure with mitomycin C who desired to have a repeat procedure by the original surgeon. Instead, the patient was counseled and successfully fitted with white sclera painted contact lenses to mask the regrowth of his conjunctival vasculature with excellent cosmetic results and comfort. Further eye-whitening surgery was, therefore, avoided. We conclude that hand-painted white sclera contact lenses with regular ocular surface health monitoring can be offered as a cosmetic, safer, and economical alternative to patients in order to avoid eye-whitening procedures known to induce ocular ischemia.