Building 3D Models for Reconstructing a Virtual Cataract Surgery Haptic Simulation

Through computer simulations we can recreate different real-life situations with the addition of controlling its parameters at any time. Having this, a simulation can show us many possible scenarios, even those that otherwise could not be tested or proven due to some factors (economic, material, physical, etc.). Traditionally most of the simulations are created using both, physics and graphics; but recently, the addition of haptics has given another turn on the screw towards the computer simulation. By adding touch, simulators are no longer attached to the computer displays. The users can now interact in real time with the virtual environment, pushing, feeling and manipulating objects. This discipline has revolutionized the field of medical training, as trainees can now improve their skills using a simulator instead of the traditional methods. This paper is part of a larger project that aims to create a framework for teaching surgical procedures. As a first step, we are developing a cataract surgery simulation using haptic devices. However, in this paper we only cover the description of the issues we found while creating the graphical elements of the surgery. As there are several elements, this work only describes the design of the models for the eye and a few of the tools used during the surgical procedure.