In the UK, the ophthalmic specialist curriculum mandates the use of surgical simulation in training [1]. As ophthalmologists return to surgical sessions following COVID-19 restrictions, the benefits of learning and maintaining skills through simulation have been increasingly recognised by juniors and seniors alike [2]. Ophthalmic surgical simulation has previously been demonstrated to be cost-effective and cost-saving due to reduced surgical complication rates in cataract surgery by junior trainees [3]. The benefits of promoting greater simulation use in training are obvious, but this new culture has not previously been reflected in traditional resource allocation in ophthalmology training programmes. An increasing range of model eyes for simulation are available, of varying complexity and expense [4, 5]. It should be recognised that any effective simulation programme will not only have initial set up costs (microscopes, equipment), but will require an ongoing training investment, through the recurrent purchase of necessary consumables (model eyes, suture materials).

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