Evaluation of the Effectiveness of an Artificial Eye for Training Ophthalmologists in Cataract Surgery

• Grant number: 25/01650-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: March 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Newton Kara José Junior
• Grantee: Renan Magalhães e Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Cataract is a condition that causes cloudiness in the natural lens of the eye, known as the crystalline lens. This disease is the leading cause of blindness worldwide, affecting millions of people, particularly those over 60 years old. When cataract symptoms significantly impair visual acuity, surgery is required to remove the cloudy lens. This procedure demands refined surgical skills and precision in delicate movements from ophthalmologists. Therefore, training aimed at developing these skills is of great social importance.Given the technological advancements in healthcare and the training methods offered by educational institutions for residents, a synthetic eye model was developed to enhance the training and qualification of ophthalmologists in cataract surgery. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of this artificial model in surgical training.The research is exploratory in nature and utilizes simulation-based training (SBT) with intervention. The study employs an analytical-descriptive and comparative methodology, with a quantitative, cross-sectional, and prospective approach. The proposed model aims to provide a more realistic preoperative simulation, bringing the simulated experience closer to the actual conditions encountered during live surgery.