American Academy of Ophthalmology Launches VR Education Program in Collaboration with FundamentalVR to Improve Ophthalmic Care Around the World | PR Newswire [Video]

, /PRNewswire/ — The American Academy of Ophthalmology, in partnership with FundamentalVR, a global leader in immersive surgical training, today announced the launch of the Academy’s VR Education program, a groundbreaking initiative that harnesses the power of virtual reality (VR) to transform ophthalmic education and surgical training. Supported by a generous $5 million grant from the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, the platform offers a free and open simulation platform for ophthalmologists and trainees around the world to expand their skill in diagnosing and treating eye diseases and conditions.

The first phase of the program focuses on pediatric ophthalmology, specifically retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Retinopathy of prematurity is the leading cause of preventable blindness in children globally, affecting up to 30 percent of preterm infants in middle-income countries and between 5 and 8 percent in the United States.

However, the opportunity for trainees to learn how to properly examine and treat babies with ROP is limited. …