A systematic review and meta-analysis examined 772 participants in simulated settings to compare training methods. The study looked at how well trainees could identify eye structures and how they felt about the training. Results showed that 63.1% of participants correctly identified fundus structures using simulation-based training. Additionally, 75.6% of participants preferred this method over traditional training approaches. No safety concerns were reported during the simulated training sessions.
The review noted that the number of studies included was limited and that assessments varied between them. Because of these factors, experts suggest caution when interpreting the results regarding eye identification outcomes. The study did not report any adverse events or discontinuations related to the training methods used.
Despite these limitations, the findings support integrating simulation into ophthalmology curricula to potentially enhance training outcomes. Readers should understand that this is an early review with limited data. More research is needed to confirm these benefits in real-world clinical settings before changing standard practices.
