Purpose: We determine whether haptic feedback improves surgical performance and outcome during simulated a preretinal membrane peeling procedure.
Methods: A haptic-enabled virtual reality preretinal membrane peeling simulator was developed using a surgical cockpit with two multifinger haptic devices. Six subjects (three trained retina surgeons and three nonsurgeons) performed the preretinal membrane peeling surgical procedure using two modes of operation: visual and haptic feedback, and visual feedback only.
Results: Task completion time, tool tip path trajectory, tool-retina collision force, and retinal damage were all reduced with haptic feedback used and compared to modes where haptic feedback was disabled.
Conclusions: Haptic feedback improves efficiency and safety during preretinal membrane peeling simulation.
Translational relevance: These findings highlight the potential benefit of haptic feedback for improving performance and safety of vitreoretinal surgery.
Keywords: feedback; haptic; retina; robotic; surgery.