To investigate cataract surgical experiences during ophthalmology residency in Korea.

A survey regarding cataract surgical experiences during residency was sent to 4th year ophthalmologic residents (112) from April to September 2010.

Of the 112 individuals to whom the surveys were sent, 35 (31.3%) responded. The majority of the respondents (65.7%) performed their first cataract operation as the primary surgeon in their 4th year of residency. The majority of the respondents (42.9%) also thought that continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC) was the most difficult procedure followed by nucleus removal (31.4%). Fourteen respondents (40.0%) experienced loss of lens fragments into the vitreous cavity. Nine (25.7%) respondents had experienced performing ECCE (Extracapsular cataract extraction) during residency training. Also, 48.6% performed 1 to 5 cataract procedures during their entire residency training while 20.0% performed 6 to 10.

The experiences in cataract surgery during residency were investigated for the first time through a questionnaire survey. The Korean ophthalmology residency program needs to provide more opportunities for residents to perform cataract surgery during their training period.