An interactive method for teaching anatomy of the human eye for ophthalmology rotations using suid eyes

Abstract

Much research has shown the benefits of additional anatomical learning and dissection beyond the first year of human gross anatomy during postgraduate medical training. We have developed an interactive method for teaching second‐year medical students in their ophthalmology rotation at Duke University School of Medicine. We provide review lectures on the detailed anatomy of the adult human eye and orbit as well as the development of the eye. This is followed by an anatomical demonstration of the human orbit and eye on a prosected human cadaver, projecting the dissection of the detailed anatomy onto a computer screen. Each student then dissects a fresh suid eye under a regular‐strength microscope, identifying the external musculature and focusing on the detailed anatomy of the internal eyeball. The anatomy and size of the suid eye is comparable to that of the human and thus this method provides students a valuable learning opportunity to dissect anatomy that is most often not preserved or unidentifiable in the human cadaver.Grant Funding SourceNSF