Correlation of virtual reality performance with real-life cataract surgery performance

J Cataract Refract Surg. 2019 Sep;45(9):1246-1251. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrs.2019.04.007. Epub 2019 Jul 29.

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the correlation between performance on a virtual reality simulator and real-life cataract surgical performance.

Setting: Nine ophthalmology departments in Denmark and Copenhagen Academy for Medical Education and Simulation, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Design: Prospective multicenter study.

Methods: Cataract surgeons with different experience levels were included. The participants performed 3 consecutive video-recorded phacoemulsification surgeries that were rated by masked raters using the Objective Structured Assessment of Cataract Surgical Skills (OSACSS) scoring system. Thereafter, the participants performed a previously validated test on an Eyesi virtual reality simulator. Primary outcomes were the mean OSACSS score from all 3 surgeries and the simulator score from the participants' first repetition of the performance test.

Result: Nineteen surgeons participated. There was a statistically significant correlation between the simulator performance score and the mean OSACSS score across all experience levels, with a Pearson correlation of 0.65 (P = .003, R2 = 0.42).

Conclusion: Simulator performance was significantly correlated with real-life cataract surgical performance.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Clinical Competence / standards*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Correlation of Data
  • Educational Measurement
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lens Implantation, Intraocular
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Ophthalmologists / standards*
  • Phacoemulsification*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Surgery, Computer-Assisted*
  • Video Recording
  • Virtual Reality
  • Visual Acuity / physiology