Comparison of Short-term Results of Trabeculectomies by Specialists and Trainees in an Indian Tertiary Care Eye Hospital

Purpose: To compare the outcomes of trabeculectomies between glaucoma specialists and trainees at a tertiary eye care hospital in North India.Materials and methods: A retrospective evaluation of charts of patients undergoing primary trabeculectomy by either specialist consultants or glaucoma service trainees between October 2019 and March 2022 was conducted.Outcome measures were complete success, qualified success, and failure. Results:The study included 511 trabeculectomy surgeries, of which consultants performed 360 (70.4%) cases, and trainees performed 151 (29.5%) cases, with the consultants operating on more secondary glaucoma cases.The trainees had a significantly higher intraocular pressure (IOP) postoperatively; however, complete success, qualified success, and failure rates at 3 and 6 months were comparable between the two groups.The complication rate was also similar between the two groups, with the trainees showing a higher rate of return to OT. Conclusion:The high glaucoma burden in India emphasizes the necessity for more surgeons proficient in glaucoma procedures.This need can be met through organized training programs.A well-structured training program, incorporating hands-on wet-lab experience and supervised intraoperative training, enables trainees to achieve outcomes comparable to those of experienced glaucoma specialists when proctored.And thus, help increase the number of glaucoma specialists.This study emphasizes the need for such training programs while alleviating concerns about trainees performing surgeries that are perceived to be at higher risk.