Insightful Cataract Surgery Lessons Provided By Ophthalmology Residents In The Rotterdam Eye Hospital

Cataract surgery can be a challenging aspect of ophthalmology training, guided by experienced cataract surgeons who give feedback on surgical skills. However, we believe residents who have started cataract surgery training can provide insightful tips for future residents. Yet, we know little about what residents consider their most influential lessons regarding cataract surgery.

The Rotterdam Eye Hospital

We developed a survey for ophthalmology residents in The Rotterdam Eye Hospital (OZR) who started cataract surgery training. In the OZR cataract surgery training starts at the beginning of the fourth year and is divided into three phases, with a duration of 4, 6, and 4 months. During which on average, a resident will have one full day of surgery per week. The survey questioned demographics, tips and tricks per step of phacoemulsification as well as general lessons.

Eight cataract surgery residents completed the survey. In total 60 tips were provided, with respectively: 3 on preoperative training, 6 on surgeon posture, 4 on globe exposure,  7 on incisions,  9 on rhexis, 5 on hydrodissection, 7 on divide and conquer, 4 on irrigation and aspiration, 1 on lens implantation, 2 on wound closure,  6 on surgeons mindset, 2 on feedback, 4 other. Lessons of note were: 1, imagine to operate next to the surgeon you feel most comfortable, 2, sit comfortably before you start, 3, perform every movement in the eye as if in slow motion.

Residents who have started cataract surgery training can provide insightful and out-of-the-box lessons for future cataract surgeons.