The companies built the tool to support students and residents learning to perform surgery to treat cataracts. They developed it with affordability, portability and scalability in mind, along with targeted functionality. FundamentalVR says it marks a key advancement in global ophthalmic surgical education. It also helps accelerate Orbis’ efforts to build strong and sustainable eye care systems around the world.
Orbis, a global nonprofit, worked with FundamentalVR to develop the tool that uses VR, haptic feedback and cloud assessment data. Along with off-the-shelf hardware, the offering can create a solution for cataract surgical training in resource-limited settings.
Immersive VR simulation with haptics provides a highly realistic experience for eye care professionals, the companies say.
“We saw a real need that we could meet,” said Dr. Hunter Cherwek, Orbis VP of clinical services and technologies. “Most existing simulation training tools are expensive, not easily transportable or sourced, and/or train doctors on a surgical method usually only practiced in high-resource areas. Thanks to our partnership with FundamentalVR, we were able to bring a new VR solution to life that makes cataract surgical training accessible no matter where you live.”
More about the offering from FundamentalVR and Orbis
The training tool enables independent learning through automated performance monitoring and feedback. Users can hone skills in a realistic simulation within a safe environment before going to the operating room.
With affordable gaming hardware, the offering is more financially accessible to resource-restricted partners, too. It also focuses on manual, small-incision cataract surgery. According to FundamentalVR, this is the most common technique performed in low-resource countries. This allows professionals to train in the procedure most likely needed in their community.
The companies already offer their tool at partner hospitals in Bangladesh, China, Mongolia, Ethiopia, and India.
“Our partnership with Orbis International not only underscores our commitment to advancing the field of ophthalmology but also highlights the immense potential of VR in creating safer, more effective learning environments for healthcare professionals,” said Richard Vincent, co-founder and CEO of FundamentalVR. “Our goal is to elevate patient outcomes and redefine the standard of surgical proficiency on a global scale, advancing the quality of healthcare across borders.”
