To evaluate the feasibility of robot-assisted simulated cataract surgery. Institut de Recherche Contre les Cancers de l'Appareil Digestif, European Institute of Telesurgery, and Strasbourg University Hospital, Strasbourg, France. Experimental study. Cataract surgeries were performed on a Kitaro cataract wet-lab training system simultaneously using the Da Vinci Xi robotic surgical system and the Whitestar Signature phacoemulsification system. For each procedure, the duration and successful completion of the surgery with or without ocular complications were assessed. Procedures were successfully performed on 25 lens nuclei. The feasibility of robot-assisted simulated cataract surgery was confirmed. The robotic surgical system provided the intraocular dexterity and operative field visualization necessary to perform the main steps of the phacoemulsification procedure; that is, corneal incisions, capsulorhexis, grooving, cracking, quadrant removal, and irrigation/aspiration of the ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD). The intervention of a second surgeon was required for the intraocular injections of OVD, balanced salt solution, and intraocular lenses. The mean operative time was 26.44 minutes ± 5.15 (SD). All lens nuclei were removed. Inadvertent enlargement of the main corneal incision caused by the phaco handpiece was observed in 2 cases. Experimental robot-assisted cataract surgery was technically feasible using the new robotic surgical system combined with a phacoemulsification machine.

Purpose: To survey recently graduated European ophthalmologists concerning cataract surgery (CS) training opportunities. Setting: Countries affiliated to the European Board of Ophthalmology (EBO). Design: Cross-sectional study of anonymous survey results. Methods: A 23-question online survey was emailed to candidates who sat the EBO Diploma Examination as residents between 2018 and 2022. Results: 821 ophthalmologists from 30 countries completed the survey. The mean residency duration was 4.73 (SD 0.9) years. The mean reported number of entire CS procedures performed was 80.7 (SD 100.6) at the end of residency, but more than 25% of respondents (n = 210) had received no live CS training during their residency. The self-confidence (scale, 1 to 10) to perform a simple case or challenging case, manage posterior capsular rupture, and realize a corneal stitch were rated 4.1, 3.2, 4.2, 2.4, respectively. We observed extensive variation in clinical exposure to CS and self-reported confidence to perform CS between European trainees. Females reported a mean of 18% fewer entire procedures than their male colleagues and were also less confident in their surgical skills (P < .05). Trainees in residency programs longer than 5 years performed fewer procedures and were less confident than trainees in residences of shorter duration (P < .001). The importance of fellowships to complete surgical education was rated 7.7 out of 10. Conclusions: CS training across European countries lacks harmony. Female ophthalmology trainees continue, as in other specialties, to experience apparent gender bias. European level recommendations seem necessary to raise and harmonize competency-based CS training programs and promote post-residency fellowship training programs.

Purpose: : This study aims to investigate the feasibility of pterygium surgery using the DaVinci Si HD robotic surgical system, and to describe a porcine model for pterygium surgery and evaluate its usefulness. Methods: : The pterygium models were constructed using enucleated pig eyes and cold cuts. Robotically-assisted pterygium surgeries in nonliving biological pterygium models were performed using the DaVinci Si HD robotic surgical system. Twelve models were prepared, and 12 pterygium excision and conjunctival autografts were performed. Results: : The DaVinci system provided the necessary dexterity to perform delicate ocular surface surgery and robotic tools were safe for the tissues. The mean duration of the surgical procedures was 36 minutes. There were no intraoperative complications and no unexpected events. Conclusions: : Robotic-assisted pterygium surgery is technically feasible for porcine eyes using the DaVinci Si HD robotic surgical system. The pterygium model that we describe could be of interest for surgical training. Translational Relevance: : Little research has been done in robotic microsurgery. Animal experimentation will allow the advantages of robotic-assisted microsurgery to be identified, while underlining the improvements and innovations necessary for clinical use.