Cataracts, characterized by cloudy patches on the lens of the eye, are among the leading causes of blindness globally, as reported by the World Health Organization. Despite their prevalence, cataracts are considered one of the most easily treatable eye conditions. This contradiction arises primarily from a global shortage of ophthalmologists, resulting in many individuals, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, living with preventable visual impairments.
In an effort to increase the number of eye surgeons in these regions, an immersive training simulator has been developed by Orbis and FundamentalVR. This simulator aims to support medical students specializing in ophthalmic surgery, with a focus on cataract procedures.
The training simulator incorporates virtual reality and haptic feedback to create a safe yet realistic environment for practice. Trainees are able to feel the texture of human tissue, enhanced by cloud assessment data and the use of accessible, low-cost gaming hardware. This program is currently being implemented in hospitals across Ethiopia, Bangladesh, India, China, and Mongolia.