Artificial Intelligence in Vision and Ophthalmology

Analyzing the cost of ophthalmology research conference attendance by medical students in the United States

Kelsey Donovan, Hailey Robles-Holmes, Reena Garg — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose: To analyze the average cost of attending ophthalmology research conferences as a medical student and to describe available funding opportunities.

Methods: Data from national ophthalmology conferences in the United States from August 2023 to August 2024 were gathered using publicly available records. Collected variables included conference registration cost, discounted conference hotel rates, and conference funding opportunities for medical students. Costs for average airfare, ground transportation, and meals for each conference were also calculated.

Results: A total of 22 conferences met the inclusion criteria. The average total cost of attendance per conference was US$1,399.31, which included student registration fees, discounted conference hotel fare, airfare, ground transportation, and meal expenses. Five (22.7%) conferences offered free registration for all medical students. Registration fees ranged from US$75 to US$580, with an average cost of US$230.45. Seven conferences (31.8 %) offered at least 1 medical student conference travel grant, ranging from US$200 to US$2,000 per recipient. The average total cost of attendance for the 7 conferences with available grants was US$370.23 per conference, which was 74% less expensive than the average cost per conference in the cohort without student funding.

Conclusions: Research conferences present valuable opportunities for medical students. Conference attendance is costly, and expensive registration fees introduce a potential barrier to career advancement for prospective ophthalmologists, especially for students from low-income and minority backgrounds. It is important for the field of ophthalmology to promote inclusion and increase opportunities for trainees. Increased funding for students, discounted fees, and virtual attendance options are potential solutions for improving access to ophthalmology research events.

Impact of pupillary dilation on the efficacy of laser peripheral iridotomy

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose: To assess outcomes of laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) procedures following dilation by evaluating the pressure difference across the iris posterior-anterior chamber resulting from varying hole sizes and locations.

Methods: Using an anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) image, we created a 3-D finite element model of the iris. We then manually identified a dilator region where the dilator stress was applied to simulate pupillary dilation. To mimic LPI, we made a hole of 200 microns in diameter near the pupillary margin, at the mid-periphery, and at the periphery of the iris. Using computational fluid dynamics methods, we computed the pressure difference developed by the hole before and after pupil dilation at each location. This process was then repeated with a hole of 400 microns in diameter.

Results: The pressure difference developed across a 200-micron hole when the hole was placed near the pupil, at the iris mid-periphery, and near the iris periphery was 0.85 Pa, 0.80 Pa, and 0.92 Pa, respectively. Following pupil dilation, the pressure difference increased in all cases. For the compressible iris model, the pressure increased by 4.70%, 63.75%, and 52.17% near the pupil, at the iris mid-periphery, and near the iris periphery, respectively. For the nearly incompressible model, the pressure increased by 7.06%, 51.25%, and 55.43% near the pupil, at the iris mid-periphery, and near the iris periphery, respectively. Across a 400-micron diameter hole, the pressure difference developed was extremely small (< 0.1 Pa) across all cases, both before and following dilation.

Conclusion: While LPI offers a solution for narrow or closed anterior chamber angles, in some patient populations the angles remain occludable following LPI. One possible reason could be attributed to the additional pressure difference across the anterior and posterior chamber due to the change in LPI hole size following dilation-induced
iris deformation. Our study shows that the LPI hole size/location affects the pressure difference in both compressible and nearly incompressible irides.

ASOPRS oculofacial surgeon practice distribution and neighborhood deprivation

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose: This study explores the relationship between the distribution of active American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) oculofacial surgeons in the United States and the socioeconomic characteristics of their practice locations, as measured by the Area Deprivation Index (ADI).

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, active ASOPRS oculofacial surgeons in the United States were identified using the Oculofacial Society surgeon directory. Data on physician demographics, career stage, and practice type and location were compiled from publicly available sources. The ADI was extracted for each practice address. Chi-squared testing was performed for qualitative analysis.

Results: Overall, 580 physician addresses had obtainable state and national ADI values. The average ADI state decile was 3.5 and average national percentile was 29.9. The majority of surgeons (58.4%) practiced within the first state decile and national percentile quartile (i.e., the lowest socioeconomic disadvantage). Practice locations in 41 states had average state decile values categorized as “low”, while practice locations in 36 states had average national percentile values categorized as “low.” There was no statistically significant difference between male and female presence, career stage, and practice type in low versus high ADI areas.

Conclusion: The majority of ASOPRS oculofacial surgeons practice in neighborhoods with less socioeconomic disadvantage, as indicated by lower ADI state deciles and national percentiles, potentially contributing to healthcare disparities. Further research is warranted to understand other factors that may contribute to the ADI distribution of physicians and the role of ADI in pinpointing health care inequities.

Enhancing ophthalmology resident orientation with an experiential simulation lab using virtual reality technology

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose: This study explores the efficacy of a virtual reality (VR)-based simulation lab in enhancing foundational knowledge and clinical skills among PGY2 ophthalmology residents. It investigates VR’s role in improving anatomical understanding, diagnostic ability, and learner confidence at the beginning of ophthalmology residency.

Methods: A 4-hour experiential simulation lab was conducted at the Loyola University Chicago simulation center using Oculus VR headsets and zSpace stereoscopic displays. PGY2 residents from 5 Chicago-based ophthalmology programs participated in interactive glaucoma and retina modules focusing on ocular anatomy, iridocorneal angle understanding, cranial nerve function, aqueous flow, and pupil examination. Pre- and post-session surveys, knowledge assessments, and anatomical drawings were used to evaluate improvements in understanding and diagnostic skill. Statistical analysis was performed using the exact Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Results: Fourteen of 18 invited residents (77.8%) participated. Significant improvement was observed in understanding the iridocorneal angle, aqueous flow, and pathology diagnosis on virtual patients (p < 0.05). Most participants (92.9%) reported enhanced understanding of anatomy and expressed high satisfaction with the training. The majority (85.7%) would recommend the training to peers, and 92.9% supported offering it to future residents.

Conclusion: The VR-based simulation lab significantly enhanced anatomical comprehension and examination skills among ophthalmology residents. The immersive nature of the experience fostered greater learner engagement and confidence. These findings support integrating VR into early ophthalmology education to standardize and improve foundational clinical training.

Enhancing ophthalmology education using virtual reality: an experiential simulation lab curated for medical students by medical students

Sarah Tajran, Anjali Ferris, Justin Flood , Roshni Vasaiwala — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose: Ophthalmology, though fundamental, is often sidelined in modern medical curricula—despite its complex anatomy and the looming shortage of ophthalmologists. To reimagine how students engage with this vital field, we developed and evaluated an immersive, peer-led virtual reality (VR) simulation lab designed to enhance first-year medical students’ understanding, confidence, and enthusiasm for ophthalmology at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.

Methods: Forty-two first-year students participated in a 1-hour session combining foundational didactics with experiential learning at 3 interactive VR stations. These featured the OcuSim app via Oculus headsets, stereoscopic EyeSim modules, and the iBench 3D ZSpace platform. Guided by senior students and residents, participants
explored ocular anatomy, pathology, and neurovisual pathways in an immersive format. Pre- and post-session surveys and assessments captured changes in confidence, knowledge, and clinical reasoning. Statistical analysis utilized Wilcoxon signed-rank and McNemar chi-square tests.

Results: The intervention yielded marked improvements across cognitive and affective domains. Confidence in labeling ocular anatomy rose from a mean of 2.7 to 3.5 (p < 0.01), and visual pathway comprehension improved from 2.3 to 3.3 (p < 0.01). Objective assessments confirmed gains in anatomical labeling and interpretation of neuro-ophthalmic deficits, including cranial nerve III palsies and Meyer’s loop lesions. Notably, 100% of students answered cranial nerve III-related questions correctly post-intervention, up from 78.6%. Feedback highlighted the lab’s novelty, relevance, and its capacity to make complex content intuitive and engaging.

Conclusion: This student-led VR simulation lab transcends traditional teaching by blending clinical relevance with cutting-edge interactivity. It significantly boosts anatomical comprehension, clinical reasoning, and learner confidence—while igniting interest in an underserved specialty. As immersive technology becomes more accessible, this model offers a scalable blueprint for transforming medical education with impact and innovation.

Integrating artificial intelligence in ophthalmology: a pilot study of clinical understanding and adoption

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the current understanding and application of artificial intelligence (AI) within clinical ophthalmology.

Design: This study used a qualitative research approach. One-on-one interviews were conducted with ophthalmologists (including residents/fellows/students) and medical professionals involved in ophthalmology.

Methods: Participants were recruited via professional networks, and an interview guide informed by prior research and expertise of the interdisciplinary research team led the question-asking process. Transcribed interviews were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis methods with Nvivo12 software.

Results: Participants (N = 18) included attending clinicians (44%, n = 8), residents (44%, n = 8), a fellow (6%, n = 1), and a medical student (6%, n = 1). In-depth analysis of the interviews yielded 3 overarching themes: 1) AI has high utility in ophthalmology; 2) AI is a tool, but a balance between AI and the clinician is important; and 3) several challenges to integrating and accessing AI need to be addressed. Overall, participants believed an AI informed clinical practice is important and participants described ways AI could be incorporated into their own patient management. However, the majority of participants do not presently use AI in patient care, noting concerns about the current state of AI in research and clinical practice. Participants also described balance between AI and the provider as essential, suggesting AI applications are not currently able to replace the human element of clinical practice. AI applications in ophthalmic clinical practice are viewed positively across all participants, with noted caution towards the current ability to use AI as an automated tool and challenges for its integration into clinical management.

Conclusions and future perspectives: Although findings yielded generally favorable views, suggesting high potential for benefit with integration of AI systems, several barriers to adoption were noted by participants. While participants believe AI is the future of ophthalmology, a balance between the clinician and the computer is vital and concerns related to trustworthiness of the data were a consistent finding. This research lays important groundwork for developing future research that can bridge the gap between the development of AI systems and its translation to more effective clinical practice.

SAIVO 2025 Inaugural Meeting Abstracts: Where Al Meets Vision

SAIVO — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Perspective on running a mathematical and computational ophthalmology seminar series

Paul Roberts — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000