Reusable Fundus Model for Laser Retinopexy Simulation and Training

• Published in: Ophthalmic surgery, lasers & imaging Vol. 53; no. 11; pp. 606 - 609
• Main Authors: Hudson, Julia L, Salazar, Humberto, Kunkler, Anne L, Fan, Kenneth C, Sridhar, Jayanth S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Slack, Inc 01.11.2022; SLACK INCORPORATED
• Subjects: Education, Medical, Graduate - methods; Efficiency; Fundus Oculi; Humans; Laser printers; Lasers; Medical personnel; Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; Ophthalmology; Ophthalmology - education; Patients; Retina; Retinal detachment; Simulation; Simulation methods; Training; Florida
• ISSN: 2325-8160; 2325-8179
• DOI: 10.3928/23258160-20221019-01

To describe a simulation technique for laser barrier retinopexy as an option for ophthalmologists in training to practice slit lamp and laser indirect ophthalmoscopy (LIO) retinopexy. A commercially available fundus model and laser printer labels were used to simulate laser retinopexy of horseshoe tears (HST). At two time points, seven first-year residents and seven second-year residents were asked to complete three rows of laser burns around HSTs and the times were recorded. Second-year residents completed simulated retinopexies in less time than first-year residents on both the slit lamp ( = .001) and with LIO ( = .001). Second-year residents were also statistically more efficient when retested at the second time point ( = .003 and = .005, slit lamp and LIO, respectively). This novel educational model is able to capture differences in training level and increased experience among ophthalmology trainees, and may be beneficial as part of a structured teaching program. .