Refractive surgery training during residency – do not be afraid of the dark

Abstract

Kepa Balparda,1 Ana María Díaz,2 Ana María Londoño3 1Department of Ophthalmology, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, 2Psychiatry Research Group, Universidad de Antioquia, 3School of Medicine, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín, Colombia Abstract: Refractive errors are a fairly common eye condition worldwide, and the ophthalmologist should be capable of offering the patient both nonsurgical and surgical solutions to their refractive conditions. Nevertheless, currently, refractive surgery training during residency is poor at best. This paper explores recent evidence to suggest that postsurgical results of patients operated on by residents are not inferior to those operated on by experienced staff. It points out the urgent need to improve the current approach to refractive surgery training. Keywords: refractive surgical procedures, refractive errors, education