A training simulator for retinal laser photocoagulation

Retinal laser photocoagulation has been used for a decade, but no real improvement in results has been observed. The simulator described here, by separating actual practice from apprenticeship, allows one both to learn the use of the equipment and the training in diagnosing and operating. It has been designed as close as possible to the actual device and gives the opportunity to deal with a widespread library of pathologic cases. An actual slit-lamp is supplied with sensors measuring all the degrees of freedom of the system. The images are calculated by a PC computer and are displayed at a rate of 15/s on a miniature screen located inside the binocular. A user interface is provided by means of a computer assisted training software, allowing the users to manage the pigmentations and pathologies database, to follow-up the students' skill level and to plan critical operations.