Confidence of UK Ophthalmology Registrars in Managing Posterior Capsular Rupture: Results from a National Trainee Survey

Introduction: To establish the level of confidence amongst UK ophthalmology specialist registrars (residents) in managing posterior capsule rupture (PCR) during cataract surgery. / Methods: An online nine-item questionnaire was distributed to all registrars, recruited nationwide via regional representatives. Data collected included stage of training, number of completed cataract operations, cumulative PCR rate, number of PCRs independently managed, understanding of vitrectomy settings and fluidic parameters and access to simulation. Respondents self-evaluated their confidence in managing PCR with vitreous loss. / Results: Complete responses were obtained from 248 registrars (35% response rate). Mean number of phacoemulsification procedures performed was 386. For senior registrars (OST 6–7), 35 out of 70 (50%) felt confident to manage PCR independently and 55 out of 70 (78.6%) were either quite confident or very confident at deciding when to implant an intraocular lens during PCR management. Lower confidence levels were noted for junior trainees (OST 1–2). Over 65% of survey respondents had access to relevant simulation. / Conclusions: Our results represent the largest UK survey analysing the confidence of PCR management amongst registrars. Confidence improves with duration of training and increased exposure to management of PCR. However, 50% of senior registrars still lacked confidence to independently manage PCR and vitreous loss. A specific competency-based framework, potentially using a simulator or simulating a PCR event, incorporated into the curriculum may be desirable

Efficacy of toric intraocular lens implantation with high corneal astigmatism within the United Kingdom’s National Health Service

OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy of toric intraocular lens (TIOL) implantation in cataract surgery patients with high levels of pre-operative corneal astigmatism and ocular co-morbidities in a state funded, National Health Service (NHS) hospital. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study involving consecutive cases of TIOL implantation in cataract surgery with over 3.00DC of pre-operative corneal astigmatism. Subjects were implanted with the Tecnis TIOL (Abbot Medical Optics) with capsular tension ring stabilisation using the Callisto system (Carl Zeiss Meditec). Visual acuity and refraction were assessed at 4–6 weeks post-operatively. Vector analysis was used to calculate the intended refractive correction, surgically induced refractive correction (SIRC), correction ratio (CR), error of magnitude (EM) and error vector (EV). RESULTS: Sixty-six eyes of forty-seven subjects aged 73.8 ± 11.9 were included. Eyes with ocular co-morbidities included dry age-related macular degeneration (n = 13), amblyopia (n = 7), high myopia (n = 7), glaucoma (n = 6), previous corneal transplantation (n = 2), nanophthalmos (n = 2) and corneal scarring (n = 1). Pre-operative corneal astigmatism was 4.25 ± 1.69DC (range 3.00–12.00), post-operative refractive astigmatism was 1.31 ± 1.05DC (range 0.00–6.50DC) and post-operative unaided visual acuity was 0.25 ± 0.19 LogMAR. Vector analysis demonstrated an SIRC of 4.08 ± 1.39DC, CR = 1.1 ± 0.3, EM −0.4 ± 1.0 and EV of 1.23 ± 0.72. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate the efficacy of TIOL implantation in patients with high corneal astigmatism and provide strong evidence advocating their use in cataract surgery within a state funded hospital eye service. Refractive astigmatism was significantly lower than the pre-operative corneal astigmatism and a low error vector was achieved relative to the magnitude of correction

Trainee research network (TRN): a potential global model for promoting research training and outputs among trainees.

The article is available via Open Access. Click on the 'Additional link' above to access the full-text.Accepted version (6 month embargo), submitted versio