High correlation between performance on a virtual‐reality simulator and real‐life cataract surgery

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the correlation in performance of cataract surgery between a virtualreality simulator and real-life surgery using two validated, objective assessment tools.Methods: Cataract surgeons with varying levels of experience were included in the study. All participants performed and video-recorded three standard cataract surgeries before completing a proficiency-based test on the EyeSi virtual-reality simulator. Standard cataract surgeries were defined as: 1) surgery performed under local anaesthesia, 2) patient age > 60 years, and 3) visual acuity > 1/60 pre-operatively. A motion-tracking score was calculated by multiplying average path length and average number of movements from the three real-life surgical videos of full procedures. The EyeSi test consisted of five abstract and two procedural modules: intracapsular navigation, antitremor training, intracapsular antitremor training, forceps training, bimanual training, capsulorhexis, and phaco divide and conquer. Results: Eleven surgeons were enrolled. After a designated warm-up period, the proficiency-based test on the EyeSi simulator was strongly correlated to real-life performance measured by motion-tracking software of cataract surgical videos with a Pearson correlation coefficient of -0.70(p=0.017). Conclusion: Performance on the EyeSi simulator is significantly and highly correlated to real-life surgical performance. However, it is recommended that performance assessments are made using multiple data sources

EYESI surgical simulator: validity evidence of the vitreoretinal modules

“…() observed fewer complications and a higher level of skill in vitro with more training sessions, whereas Thomsen et al. (,b) found that real‐life performance was significantly improved after proficiency‐based training on the EyeSi Surgical Simulator. Similarly, in vitreoretinal surgery, Deuchler et al.…”

“…In addition, several authors have noted that technical skill improvement was transferable from a simulated setting to the operating room (OR), with a high correlation between performance on the virtual‐reality simulator and real‐life surgical performance (Thomsen et al. ,b).…”

Virtual vitreoretinal surgery: effect of distracting factors on surgical performance in medical students

“…Also in ophthalmology, virtual surgery has been shown to be an important way to adopt surgical skills prior to clinical application (Thomsen et al. ), and the Eyesi surgical simulator is increasingly seen as subject for research in this field.…”

Quantifying the real-world cost saving from using surgical adjuncts to prevent complications during cataract surgery

“…In light of this, many authors have recommended the use of prior simulation to guide the surgeon in these rare but predictable surgical scenarios, through low-cost surveys of trainee experience, wet and dry laboratory facilities and computer simulation [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. Ease of access to a pre-prepared Anterior Vitrectomy Kit with associated adjuncts (AntVitKit) to help with the prompt and appropriate management of VL has been previously described [18].…”