Cataract surgery training in France: Analysis of the results of the European Board of Ophthalmology survey in the French cohort

Objective: This study aims to present and analyze the results of the French cohort in a European Board of Ophthalmology (EBO) survey on cataract surgical training in Europe, highlighting the particularities of French training. Materials and methods: A 23-question electronic questionnaire was sent to interns applying for the EBO examination from 2018 to 2022. Responses from French participants were specifically collected and analyzed. Results: Of 122 responding French ophthalmologists, the mean age was 31.0 ± 2.8 years with an equal distribution between men and women. The most frequent pre-patient training sessions were on virtual reality simulators (8.6 ± 8.2 sessions). French respondents reported a higher average number of partial (124.1 ± 94.8) and complete (96.4 ± 93.1) surgeries, with increased confidence (0–10 scale) in performing simple (7.3 ± 2.4) and complex (5.51 ± 2.6) surgeries, as well as in managing posterior capsular ruptures (7.2 ± 2.5) or performing corneal sutures (3.9 ± 2.7). Discussion: Within the European landscape, French cataract surgery training is part of a model of “surgery for all”, without gender disparity. Regional variations, however, mark the French landscape, in contrast to other European nations such as Spain and Germany. Standardization of pre-patient training sessions is proposed as a means of equalization. Conclusion: To standardize cataract surgery training in Europe, it is advisable to establish recommendations and educational strategies, including the standardization of pre-patient training sessions to ensure validation of surgical skills.