Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Ophthalmologists Residents Well-being and Training Programs: A Systematic Review.

Summary: Imagine training to be an eye surgeon, only to have a global pandemic shut down your operating room. That is exactly what happened to ophthalmology residents during COVID-19. Instead of mastering delicate eye surgeries, many young doctors were reassigned to general COVID wards or sent home due to lockdowns. A new review of 13 studies confirms that this disruption caused a significant drop in both surgical practice and theoretical learning. Furthermore, the stress of the pandemic and missed training took a heavy toll on their mental well-being. Experts now urge medical programs to offer "catch-up" courses and mental health support to ensure these future eye specialists are fully prepared and healthy.