Cataract Surgery Learning Curve: Evaluation of Residents` Surgical Outcomes and Complications Based on Experience

Authors : Zeynep Zahide Güllülü, Ahmet Özmen
Pages : 467-473
Doi:10.32708/uutfd.1717348
View : 35 | Download : 187
Publication Date : 2025-12-08
Article Type : Research Paper
Abstract :This study aims to retrospectively evaluate the cataract surgery learning curves and surgical outcomes of residents. Between September 2019 and January 2021, 339 eyes of 301 patients who underwent phacoemulsification surgery by 3 residents were retrospectively examined. The cases were categorized into two groups: the initial six months of training (first six months - first term, n = 83) and during the period when they gained experience (last 6 months - second term, n = 256). Demographic characteristics of the patients, comorbidities, complications, and changes in BCVA were statistically analyzed. Surgical outcomes were compared statistically between the groups. The complication rate was 19.3% in the first term and 6.2% in the second period (p<0.001). While the completion rate of all stages of surgery by residents was 66.3% in the first term, this rate increased to 96.9% in the second term (p<0.001). Postoperative improvement in BCVA was statistically significant in both terms (p<0.001), with mean preoperative and postoperative values of 0.17 ± 0.16 and 0.53 ± 0.34, respectively. Postoperative improvement in BCVA was similar in eyes that developed and did not develop complications (p = 0.430). Conversely, BCVA gain in eyes with additional ocular comorbidities was significantly lower than in eyes without ocular disease (p = 0.015). The rate of completing surgery without assistance during cataract surgery training increases in proportion to the training period, while the complication rate decreases. Surgical training of residents was found to be reliable for the outcome visual acuity, regardless of the development of complications.
Keywords : öğrenim eğrisi, komplikasyon, katarakt, cerrahi, fakoemülsifikasyon, eğitim

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