NEW YORK—Fundamental XR, a platform that uses immersive technology to transform how surgical teams train and adopt complex procedures, has shared that its successful collaboration with Orbis International to deliver a virtual reality ophthalmic training program across Africa has reported strong momentum and measurable success in the first half of 2026. This initiative uses Fundamental XR’s immersive surgical simulation platform to help early-stage ophthalmologists build skills faster and more safely before entering the operating room, Fundamental XR said. There are five simulators deployed across four African nations—Rwanda, Ethiopia, Zambia and Ghana—that support hands-on training in regions where access to surgical training resources and mentorship opportunities can be limited.
Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) in Ghana has evolved into of Orbis’ most prolific global partners using the VR simulator, with a small, dedicated cohort of 13 first-year residents collectively logging over 230 hours of surgical simulation this year, Fundamental XR said. Students average over 14 hours and more than 40 complete Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery (MSICS) procedures per resident, a volume of practice that Fundamental XR said would be impossible to achieve through traditional training alone.
To achieve this success, the clinical staff at KBTH developed a highly structured, mandatory curriculum in which residents are divided into rotating clinics and lab blocks during formal working hours. The simulator operates as a prerequisite, so students must clear it as an initial virtual track before moving into wet labs. This establishes a mandatory layer of simulation proficiency before residents are allowed to initiate live patient cases.
Adolf Ollennu, Orbis Ghana country director, discussed this program of faculty-driven accountability at 2030 IN SIGHT Live, where he noted that enabling residents to repeatedly practice procedures and receive instant feedback has accelerated surgical readiness in a safe environment before students operate on real patients. Fundamental XR noted that one of the simulator’s key advantages is allowing residents to “fail safely” while mastering complex surgical techniques, ultimately improving patient safety and surgical outcomes in real-world environments.
“What makes the simulator so valuable is that you can make mistakes, learn from them, and improve without putting patients at risk,” said first-year resident Patrick Sapana-Kosa. “The repetition and feedback helped me become more confident and better prepared when moving into real surgical settings.”
According to Fundamental XR, KBTH clinical faculty report wet lab instruction has shifted from basic step-teaching to high-level mentoring because residents can master basic surgical sequences virtually. Faculty have also reported a “noticeable drop” in errors during wet lab sessions, Fundamental XR said, which drives cost savings.
The Orbis VR program now spans 22 partner institutions across 9 countries, Fundamental XR said. To date, it has delivered more than 2,700 training sessions and over 1,100 hours of surgical practice to nearly 400 users worldwide. Partners have also expanded the program to include external student workshops. So far, the program has earned several local accolades including India’s Digital Health Excellence Award and a global Brandon Hall Group Gold Award last year.
