Trainees
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,...
How to pass FRCOphth Part 1 on the first attempt
Studying for this exam makes one wonder how there is so much to know about such a small organ. The FRCOphth Part 1 examination is notorious for its low pass rate, with only 20–40% of candidates succeeding at each sitting....
A week in the world of ophthalmology: A reflective journey at New Cross Hospital
Embarking on a taster week in ophthalmology at New Cross Hospital was a decision fuelled by the desire to delve into the intricacies of this unique specialty, which blends surgical and medical traits. For foundation doctors, a taster week is...
Ophthalmology in the Middle East: Reflections from two electives in Jordan and the UAE
In the summer of 2021, I was fortunate enough to embark on two electives in ophthalmology at the Shami Eye Centre in Amman, Jordan, and Moorfields Eye Hospital in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). These eye hospitals serve distinct populations,...
