PURPOSE This study aimed to determine the various innovative surgical training techniques prevalent among ophthalmology residents in India during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS This was a prospective cross-sectional study. An online survey questionnaire was completed by ophthalmology residents from different parts of the country. The survey consisted of questions related to the impact of the pandemic on training, innovative training techniques adapted during the pandemic and their effectiveness, and COVID-19 duty-related information. RESULTS A total of 147 responses were obtained. The mean age was 29.3 years (range: 24-40 years, SD: ±3.82). Of which, 87 (59.2%) respondents were females. A total of 61 (41.5%) respondents reported practicing steps of ocular surgeries on goat eye, 69 (46.9%) on model eye/vegetables/fruits, 30 (20.4%) on surgical simulators, and 26 (17.7%) utilized 3-D virtual images and videos. In addition, 22 (15%) respondents reported never using any such techniques. Furthermore, 130 (88.4%) respondents reported practicing steps of cataract surgery, 52 (35.4%) practiced steps of open globe repair, and steps of trabeculectomy were reported by 24 (16.3%). The steps that were reported to be practiced most are incision or tunnel construction by 108 (73.5%), suturing by 92 (62.6%), capsulorrhexis by 91 (61.9%), primary wound repair by 82 (55.8%), and conjunctival peritomy by 75 (51%). CONCLUSION The present study demonstrates that residents across the country are adapting to the present scenario by utilizing several innovative methods to sharpen their surgical acumen. The current pandemic situation can serve as an impetus to emphasize upon the institutes and medical regulatory bodies to appropriately remodel the residency curriculum.

中文翻译：

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印度 COVID-19 大流行期间眼科手术培训中创新技术的流行和有效性。

目的 本研究旨在确定 COVID-19 大流行期间印度眼科住院医师普遍采用的各种创新手术培训技术。方法 这是一项前瞻性横断面研究。来自全国不同地区的眼科居民完成了在线调查问卷。该调查包括与大流行对培训的影响、大流行期间采用的创新培训技术及其有效性以及与 COVID-19 职责相关的信息有关的问题。结果共获得147份答复。平均年龄为 29.3 岁（范围：24-40 岁，SD：±3.82）。其中，87 人（59.2%）为女性。共有 61 名 (41.5%) 受访者报告了在山羊眼上练习眼科手术的步骤，69 名 (46.9%) 在模型眼/蔬菜/水果上练习，30 名 (20. 4%) 使用手术模拟器，26 人 (17.7%) 使用 3-D 虚拟图像和视频。此外，22 名 (15%) 受访者表示从未使用过任何此类技术。此外，130 名（88.4%）受访者报告练习了白内障手术步骤，52 名（35.4%）练习了开放式眼球修复步骤，24 名（16.3%）报告了小梁切除术步骤。据报道，实施最多的步骤是切口或隧道施工 108 人 (73.5%)、缝合 92 人 (62.6%)、撕囊 91 人 (61.9%)、初次伤口修复 82 人 (55.8%) 和结膜切开术75 (51%)。结论 本研究表明，全国各地的居民正在通过利用几种创新方法来提高他们的手术敏锐度来适应目前的情况。