Virtual Reality in Ophthalmology

Background: The use of virtual reality (VR) has gained increasing interest for the acquirement of ophthalmosurgical skills outside the operating room and is thereby increasing patients' safety. The aim of this study was to evaluate trainees' acceptance of VR for assessment and training during several Drylabs with an ophthalmosurgical simulator (EYESi(R), VRmagic). Methods: All 247 Surgical trainees of several ophthalmological Drylabs between 2007 and 2008 underwent VR training during the course. Each participants performed several basic skills tasks followed by a virtual operation such as core vitrectomy or ILM peeling. The participants' opinion on VR was analysed with a standardised questionnaire. Participants were divided into 2 groups (More versus less experienced ophthalmologists/residents) and evaluated the visual quality of the simulator (aspect 1), the complexity of the tasks (2), the clinical impact (3), the learning effect (4) and the overall impression (5). Results: We evaluated a total of 156 questionnaires. The study enrolled 108 surgical residents with a mean of 2.5 years (+/-1.1) since graduation who had similar limited experience (less than 10 operations) and 48 more experienced ophthalmologists (more than 10 procedures) with a mean of 8.3 years (+/-3.0) of experience. In group 1 the aspects were scored with 4.6 (quality), 4.5 (complexity), 4.5 (clinical impact), 4.7 (learning effect), and 4.6 (overall impression) and in group 11 with 4.2, 3.1, 4.1, 3.6 und 4.0. The evaluation of the quality deviated with a p value of <0.05 whereas the other aspects deviated with a p value of <0.01. Conclusion: The majority of the participants of the two groups accepted and highly appreciated VR simulation for ophthalmosurgical assessment and training.