Date
August 17, 2026
Reading Time
4 minutes
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Efficiency in ophthalmic surgery is often associated with shorter operating times. However, true operating room (OR) efficiency is not simply about performing more procedures in less time. It is about optimizing every step of the surgical pathway while maintaining patient safety, surgical quality, and team performance.
Several studies have shown that inefficiencies frequently arise outside the surgical procedure itself. Patient preparation, equipment setup, communication between team members, and room turnover often contribute more to total operating room time than the surgery alone. Improving these processes can increase surgical capacity without requiring surgeons to operate faster B49.
Studies analysing cataract surgery workflows demonstrate that perioperative processes account for a substantial proportion of total operating room time.
Common sources of delay include:
A prospective study evaluating cataract surgery workflows identified these perioperative milestones as key determinants of overall OR efficiency and suggested that optimizing them offers significant opportunities for improvement B49.
One of the most consistent findings across surgical disciplines is that standardized workflows improve efficiency.
Reducing unnecessary variation allows surgical teams to anticipate each step, minimizes interruptions, and improves communication. In ophthalmology, targeted workflow interventions have been shown to reduce operating room turnover times by almost 46%, enabling more predictable scheduling and improved resource utilization B50.
Importantly, standardization is not about increasing speed—it is about reducing unnecessary delays.
Efficiency should never be confused with rushing. Well-organized operating rooms reduce stress for both surgeons and staff, shorten patient waiting times, and may increase the number of procedures performed without compromising quality.
Recent research comparing immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery (ISBCS) with delayed sequential surgery demonstrated approximately 10% lower operating room utilization time, illustrating how optimized workflows can improve overall efficiency while maintaining clinical outcomes B51.
An efficient operating room begins long before the first incision. Simulation-based training enables surgeons to refine surgical techniques outside the operating room, reducing unnecessary movements and improving procedural confidence.
A multicentre clinical trial showed that proficiency-based virtual reality cataract training significantly improved operating room performance among novice and intermediate surgeons, demonstrating that structured training translates into measurable improvements during real surgery B52.
Beyond simulation-based education, practical product training further supports surgical development. Oertli and its subsidiaries offer dedicated training programs where surgeons can gain hands-on experience with systems such as OS 4 Up, Faros, and CataRhex 3. Using Microsurgical Training Systems from MTS – The Wetlab Company, participants can practice procedures ranging from phacoemulsification to pars plana vitrectomy in a realistic training environment.
Technology alone cannot create an efficient operating room—but it can support one. Modern surgical platforms are increasingly designed to simplify setup, reduce workflow interruptions, and integrate multiple surgical applications into a single system.
For example, the OS 4 Up combines cataract and vitreoretinal surgery on one platform and includes workflow-oriented features such as readiness in under 30 seconds, a structured touchscreen interface, integrated timer functions, a wireless multifunction foot pedal, and a three-pump fluidics system. These features are designed to support an intuitive surgical workflow while allowing surgeons to focus on the procedure itself.
Operating room efficiency is not measured by surgical speed alone. It is the result of standardized workflows, effective team communication, structured training, and technology that supports rather than distracts from patient care.
By optimizing each step of the surgical process, ophthalmic teams can increase efficiency while maintaining the highest standards of safety and surgical quality B1.
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