# A comparative study of irrigation techniques and the development of a self-serve training model for ophthalmology residents

## TL;DR

This study compares two lacrimal irrigation techniques and introduces a self-serve training model to improve ophthalmology residents' skills and confidence.

## Contribution

A haptic-visual self-serve training model is introduced to enhance skill acquisition in lacrimal irrigation for ophthalmology residents.

## Key findings

- Technique 1 was preferred for ease of use, while Technique 2 was favored for pressurized irrigation scenarios.
- The self-serve training model significantly increased residents' confidence scores compared to the control group.
- Key barriers to proficiency included lack of training models and psychological anxiety.

## Abstract

Lacrimal irrigation is a fundamental skill for diagnosing and managing lacrimal diseases. This study evaluates two lacrimal irrigation techniques and introduces a haptic-visual integrated self-serve training model to enhance skill acquisition among novice ophthalmology residents.

Ninety-two ophthalmology residents were randomized into Group A (n = 47) and Group B (n = 45). Both groups completed an 8-hour training program comprising theoretical instruction, demonstrations, and hands-on practice. Group A provided feedback to refine the training model, which was subsequently implemented in Group B1 (n = 23), while Group B2 (n = 22) served as the control. Outcomes were assessed through skill evaluations and post-training questionnaires measuring confidence scores and perceived efficacy.

In Group A, 70.2% of participants preferred Technique 1 for its perceived ease of use, while 29.8% favored Technique 2 for pressurized irrigation scenarios (p < 0.05). Key barriers to proficiency included the absence of suitable training models (63.8%) and psychological anxiety (25.5%). In Group B, participants using the training model (Group B1) demonstrated significantly higher confidence scores compared to Group B2 (8.4 ± 1.2 vs. 6.1 ± 1.5, p < 0.05). Although skill assessment scores showed a positive trend in Group B1 (80.7 ± 8.3 vs. 76.8 ± 9.1), the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05).

Both lacrimal irrigation techniques are equally accessible to novices, with Technique 2 offering advantages in pressurized irrigation. The self-serve training model significantly enhances procedural confidence and addresses critical training barriers, including resource limitations and psychological safety. Future studies should validate these findings in larger cohorts and refine the model to incorporate enhanced simulation techniques and dynamic physiological feedback.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12909-025-06889-2.