Dr David Lockington with a DRV-Z1 visualisation system

Trainee ophthalmologists in Glasgow, UK, are running surgical simulations using a glasses-free digital stereo inspection system with immersive 3D visualisations and magnifications of between 6.1x-186x.

According to the company, Vision Engineering’s Deep Reality Viewer, DRV-Z1, creates precise 3D HD images that ‘float’ in front of the user’s eyes. It has been installed in the ophthalmic surgical simulation suite at Glasgow’s Tennent Institute of Ophthalmology, created by Dr David Lockington, national simulation lead for the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. The collaborative teaching aid’s 3D images can be shared in real time between tutors and trainees.

All UK trainee ophthalmologists also have to complete virtual reality modules on the EYESI cataract simulator prior to live surgery, said Dr Lockington. “However, we wished to ensure they had further surgical exposure, so resourced our simulation suite with a wide range of model eyes to develop wound creation and corneal suturing skills. Furthermore, sub-specialty procedures for glaucoma, retina, cataract and corneal surgery can be rehearsed and refined to ensure competence and confidence within the safe and supportive environment of our dry-lab.”