Trainees
My message to future ophthalmology teaching fellows: Organising an effective ophthalmology placement
Globally, teaching ophthalmology during the undergraduate period presents challenges. The time allocated for it is minimal with substandard exposure [1,2]. Additionally, the number of universities mandating formal ophthalmology education has significantly declined [3]. Research supports the observation that doctors in...
Eyes on Rwanda: Lessons from an international ophthalmology experience
On the 26 February 2025, I travelled to Rwanda on the invitation of a former Belfast trainee, Michael Mikhail. Michael is now one of only two vitreoretinal (VR) surgeons in Rwanda, a country with a population of 14 million. Born...
Record rise in competition ratios for ophthalmology: What does this mean for the future of the ophthalmology training programme?
In this article, Adina Smith discusses factors likely to contribute to the record rise in competition ratios and the impact this may have on the future of OST. Ophthalmology specialty training (OST) is the fifth most competitive training programme in...
The visual field of empathy: What ophthalmology taught me about seeing the patient
It was a busy shift on the ward. Amongst the chest pains and fevers was an older woman referred for confusion. She was quiet, polite, and compliant – the kind of patient who doesn’t raise alarms. As we spoke, I...
The increasing privatisation of ophthalmology: How has and how will it affect resident doctors?
It’s well known that the rising number of private ophthalmology providers in the UK have continued to increase their market share in providing various services. Referrals from NHS trusts have continued to increase with nearly 60% of cataract operations being...
My ophthalmology elective: Reflections from Singapore
Why do an ophthalmology elective? An elective in ophthalmology can offer a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the highly competitive specialty beyond the confines of the medical school curriculum, while experiencing a healthcare system in a new cultural setting....
Making the most of your foundation year rotation in ophthalmology
Ophthalmology continues to be a highly desirable speciality in the UK; however, medical students usually encounter only minimal exposure, generally ranging from one to two weeks, during their studies [1]. Nevertheless, eye-related conditions represent a considerable share of presentations in...
Learning to see the bigger picture: Reflections from a cataract surgery course in the Middle East
Alcon, the Swiss-American company specialising in eyecare equipment, inaugurated their Alcon Experience Centre (AEC) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. AEC is an eye education and training centre for students and eyecare professionals. This is the first AEC catering to the Middle...
An ophthalmology elective in the South Pacific
For the four weeks of September 2024, I was lucky enough to embark on an ophthalmology elective in the Kingdom of Tonga, a small island nation in the South Pacific Ocean. The Tongan people are incredibly friendly and upbeat, and...
Obtaining US clinical experience in ophthalmology as a UK medical student or junior doctor
Medical students or junior doctors in the UK may be interested in gaining US clinical experience for many reasons. Unfortunately, many trainees do not know how to arrange these and there is a common misconception that it is difficult to...
Ophthalmology elective in China
Wandering through the bustling streets of Zhejiang, China, immersed in the harmonious blend of modernity and tradition, I made my way to the Eye Centre of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University College of Medicine. The aroma of traditional Chinese...
A guide to utilising your time efficiently to develop clinical and procedural skills as an aspiring ophthalmologist
Ophthalmology often receives limited coverage in the undergraduate medical curriculum, and the availability of foundation programme jobs in this field is also restricted, reducing exposure to this field for aspiring ophthalmologists. Even if you’re not planning to specialise in ophthalmology,...
