Barbara Evers, Executive Director of The EyeSight Foundation of Alabama and Brian Samuels, M.D., Ph.D., The EyeSight Foundation of Alabama Endowed Chair in the UAB Department of Ophthalmology and Visual SciencesThe University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences recently opened The EyeSight Foundation of Alabama Surgical Skills Laboratory at UAB Hospital-Callahan Eye.
Made possible through philanthropic support and cross-campus collaboration among UAB Ophthalmology, UAB Callahan Eye and the Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine, the new facility expands hands-on training opportunities for residents while also serving fellows and faculty.
Located in a newly renovated space within the hospital, the laboratory represents a significant investment in ophthalmology resident education and surgical training.
“This project represents the realization of a long-standing goal, to enhance our education mission in the department by updating our training lab to include the latest tools for surgical simulation and wet lab capacity,” said Brian Samuels, M.D., Ph.D., The EyeSight Foundation of Alabama Endowed Chair of the UAB Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.
The EyeSight Foundation of Alabama Surgical Skills Laboratory is equipped with advanced surgical simulation technology designed to build confidence and consistency in trainee skill development. The space includes an EyeSi Surgical Simulator from Haag-Streit, which provides immersive, standardized training for cataract and vitreoretinal surgery through sequential modules and detailed performance assessments.
“We are proud to share this resource, which includes state-of-the-art technology, with our ophthalmology residents and fellows, as well as the faculty who train them,” said Anupam Agarwal, M.D., senior vice president for Medicine and dean of the Heersink School of Medicine. “This lab is one of only a handful in the country providing this level of advanced surgical training and brings UAB up to the very latest standards in surgical curriculum for ophthalmology residents.”
The renovation included major infrastructure upgrades to modernize the space, improve workflow and prioritize safety and cleanliness.The laboratory features multiple wet lab stations outfitted with teaching microscopes, foot pedals and high-resolution displays, allowing residents to practice surgical techniques in a controlled environment. Integrated video capabilities enable live demonstrations, recording and review, supporting both in-person instruction and virtual learning. Together, these tools allow trainees to gain experience in a low-pressure, high-impact setting that mirrors real-world clinical scenarios.
“This lab significantly enhances how we train future ophthalmologists,” said Rob Tauscher, M.D., interim residency program director for the UAB Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. “Having a dedicated, modern environment allows residents to build surgical skills, confidence and consistency earlier and more effectively, which ultimately benefits both trainees and patients.”
The EyeSight Foundation of Alabama Surgical Skills Laboratory was made possible by The EyeSight Foundation of Alabama, the International Retinal Research Foundation and other generous donors committed to advancing ophthalmic education and patient care.
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