Virtual surgical tele-simulations in ophthalmology

In a previous work, a generic software architecture for telemedicine services was proposed. This architecture was intended to be an extensible and a flexible platform where services in tele-simulation, tele-knowledge exchange, and tele-mentoring could be supported. At that time, the architecture was described as consisting of a set of interacting modules, which would provide support for the planned services, however, no module was yet detailed. In this paper, a prototype of a tele-simulation service and the way it can be supported by the architecture is described. The aim of this work is to provide virtual surgical tele-simulation in ophthalmology for ophthalmologists, trainees and doctors in remote locations. Access to surgical simulators in ophthalmology is scarce in Latin America, and providing one which is supported by an Internet-based software architecture would be helpful for practitioners and medical doctors. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. and CARS. All rights reserved.