TR
EN
Cataract Surgery Learning Curve: Evaluation of Residents' Surgical Outcomes and Complications Based on Experience
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
Ethical Statement
Our study was approved by the Bursa Uludağ University Ethics Committee on February 24, 2021, under decision number 2021-4/34, Helsinki Declaration principles were adhered to, and consent was obtained from the patients throughout the study
References
- 1. Gogate P. Comparison of various techniques for cataract surgery, their efficacy, safety, and cost. Oman J Ophthalmol.2010; 3:105-106.
- 2. Hennig A, Schroeder B, Kumar J. Learning phacoemulsification. Results of different teaching methods. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2004; 52:233-234.
- 3. Blomquist PH, Rugwani RM. Visual outcomes after vitreousloss during cataract surgery performed by residents. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2002; 28:847-852.
- 4. Yulan W, Yaohua S, Jinhua T, Min W. Step-by-step phacoemulsification training program for ophthalmology residents. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2013; 61:659-662.
- 5. ACGME. Case Log Information: Ophthalmology Review Committee for Ophthalmology 2021 2021.
- 6. RCOphth. Guide for delivery of Ophthalmic Specialist Training (OST) 2018 2018.
- 7. Randleman JB, Wolfe JD, Woodward M, Lynn MJ, Cherwek DH, Srivastava SK. The resident surgeon phacoemulsification learning curve. Arch Ophthalmol. 2007; 125:1215-1219.
- 8. Kaplowitz K, Yazdanie M, Abazari A. A review of teaching methods and outcomes of resident phacoemulsification. Surv Ophthalmol. 2018; 63:257-267.
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Surgery (Other), Ophthalmology
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
December 8, 2025
Submission Date
June 11, 2025
Acceptance Date
October 6, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2025 Volume: 51 Number: 3
APA
Güllülü, Z. Z., & Özmen, A. (2025). Cataract Surgery Learning Curve: Evaluation of Residents’ Surgical Outcomes and Complications Based on Experience. Journal of Uludağ University Medical Faculty, 51(3), 467-473. https://doi.org/10.32708/uutfd.1717348
AMA
1.Güllülü ZZ, Özmen A. Cataract Surgery Learning Curve: Evaluation of Residents’ Surgical Outcomes and Complications Based on Experience. Journal of Uludağ University Medical Faculty. 2025;51(3):467-473. doi:10.32708/uutfd.1717348
Chicago
Güllülü, Zeynep Zahide, and Ahmet Özmen. 2025. “Cataract Surgery Learning Curve: Evaluation of Residents’ Surgical Outcomes and Complications Based on Experience”. Journal of Uludağ University Medical Faculty 51 (3): 467-73. https://doi.org/10.32708/uutfd.1717348.
EndNote
Güllülü ZZ, Özmen A (December 1, 2025) Cataract Surgery Learning Curve: Evaluation of Residents’ Surgical Outcomes and Complications Based on Experience. Journal of Uludağ University Medical Faculty 51 3 467–473.
IEEE
[1]Z. Z. Güllülü and A. Özmen, “Cataract Surgery Learning Curve: Evaluation of Residents’ Surgical Outcomes and Complications Based on Experience”, Journal of Uludağ University Medical Faculty, vol. 51, no. 3, pp. 467–473, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.32708/uutfd.1717348.
ISNAD
Güllülü, Zeynep Zahide - Özmen, Ahmet. “Cataract Surgery Learning Curve: Evaluation of Residents’ Surgical Outcomes and Complications Based on Experience”. Journal of Uludağ University Medical Faculty 51/3 (December 1, 2025): 467-473. https://doi.org/10.32708/uutfd.1717348.
JAMA
1.Güllülü ZZ, Özmen A. Cataract Surgery Learning Curve: Evaluation of Residents’ Surgical Outcomes and Complications Based on Experience. Journal of Uludağ University Medical Faculty. 2025;51:467–473.
MLA
Güllülü, Zeynep Zahide, and Ahmet Özmen. “Cataract Surgery Learning Curve: Evaluation of Residents’ Surgical Outcomes and Complications Based on Experience”. Journal of Uludağ University Medical Faculty, vol. 51, no. 3, Dec. 2025, pp. 467-73, doi:10.32708/uutfd.1717348.
Vancouver
1.Zeynep Zahide Güllülü, Ahmet Özmen. Cataract Surgery Learning Curve: Evaluation of Residents’ Surgical Outcomes and Complications Based on Experience. Journal of Uludağ University Medical Faculty. 2025 Dec. 1;51(3):467-73. doi:10.32708/uutfd.1717348