Trainees archive for 2026
My ophthalmology elective: East to West
I was fortunate to be able to complete my elective in three different parts of the world: the UK, Vietnam and Pakistan. I spent three weeks at Bristol Eye Hospital (BEH), two weeks at Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi...
Reflections on a research course in London
The Research Changes Lives course is one of very few courses designed specifically for research within ophthalmology and remains a popular choice amongst researchers in the UK. Delivered by ophthalmologists, statisticians and epidemiologists, it provides a broad and diverse perspective....
Beyond the slit lamp: Unanticipated lessons from my ophthalmology elective
My six-week elective in ophthalmology at Westmead Hospital in Sydney offered much more than technical mastery; it challenged my assumptions about patient care, teaching and the role of curiosity in medicine. Though my passion for eyes was ignited by my...
The most memorable patient encounters and what they taught me
In ophthalmology, some encounters blend quietly into the rhythm of clinic. Others stay with us, shaping how we practice and who we become as clinicians. These moments become the unexpected teachers of our training. They are subtle yet leave a...
An elective in the land down under
My clinical elective was spent at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital (RVEEH) in Melbourne. As Australia’s only specialist tertiary hospital dedicated entirely to eye disease, RVEEH gave me significant exposure to, and enhanced my clinical understanding of, ophthalmology....
From Moorfields to Mombasa: The tale of two ophthalmology electives
Ophthalmology fascinates me because the field uniquely combines microsurgical precision with immediate, life-changing outcomes, spanning nine distinct subspecialties that seamlessly integrate medicine, surgery and cutting-edge technology. Put simply, few single organs can match the breadth and depth of pathology the...
Preparing to sit the FRCOphth Part 1 as a new FY1: A modern financial, educational and AI-enhanced study guide
One week into my first year as a doctor, buried under a mountain of ward jobs, night shifts and the sheer vertical learning curve of FY1, I decided to challenge myself further: I booked the FRCOphth Part 1 exam. The...
Getting started in ophthalmology: Advice for new doctors
Starting your first rotation in ophthalmology is exciting and a little daunting. As the start date approaches, the nerves may start to creep in. What’s expected of me? How much ophthalmology am I supposed to know? How will the on-calls...
Communication in ophthalmological surgery: Perspectives from an observer
"Please don’t move” is a common phrase I have heard whilst shadowing in theatres as the ophthalmologist contends with the eye of a patient looking around and tilting their head during surgery. As the average corneal diameter is approximately 12–12.5mm...
