The impact of distance cataract surgical wet laboratory training on cataract surgical competency of ophthalmology residents

Abstract Background This study assessed the impact of distance cataract surgical wet laboratory training on competency ophthalmology residents at a tertiary-level ophthalmic center in Trujillo, Peru. Methods Three five-week lab courses were administered through Cybersight, Orbis International’s telemedicine platform. Weekly lectures and demonstrations addressed specific steps phacoemulsification surgery. Each lecture had two accompanying assignments, which completed recorded their institution’s uploaded to Cybersight for grading. Competency was anonymous grading pre- post-training simulation videos, masked as occurred before after training, using standardized rubric adapted from Ophthalmology Surgical Assessment Rubric (OSCAR, scale 0–32). Day one best-corrected post-operative visual acuity (BVCA) operative eye initial consecutive 4–6 surgeries conducted by per norms residency training. An satisfaction survey trainees’. Results In total, 21 participated courses, submitting total 210 videos. Trainees’ average score increased 6.95 points (95%CI [4.28, 9.62], SD = 5.01, p < 0.0001, sample t-test) 19.3 [17.2, 21.5], 4.04) 26.3 [24.2, 28.3], 3.93). Visual 92% resident ( n 100) ≥20/60, meeting World Health Organization’s criterion good quality. Conclusions Structured resulted significantly improved skills. model could be applicable locations where there are obstacles traditional in-person such current COVID-19 pandemic.