Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery in residency training

Abstract

Purpose of review: To examine the current state of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) with a focus on its incorporation into resident surgical education.

Recent findings: To date, there are no published data on FLACS in residency training programs. Teaching FLACS concurrently with manual cataract surgery can theoretically allow a trainee to become proficient in both domains and to navigate the complexities and complications of both procedures in a dedicated learning environment.

Summary: Early reports from completed projects at our institution suggest that incorporating FLACS into residency education is successful and well tolerated. The procedure appears to have a similar safety profile and delivers similar refractive results compared with conventional phacoemulsification cataract surgery, even during the initial surgical learning curve. More research needs to be carried out on the safety profile and outcomes of resident performed FLACS and its ultimate role in trainee education.