REPORT
by Asha Vanzara, Y5 Medical Student, University of Cambridge, UK.
The Student Ophthalmology Review Day (SORD), now in its fifth year, was hosted at the Royal College of Ophthalmology at their esteemed London location, and two identical sessions were run on 11 and 12 December 2024. Designed for medical students in their clinical years, the day aimed to thoroughly cover the essential knowledge expected of a foundation doctor at the start of their training.
The day began with an introductory lecture covering core aspects of ocular anatomy and physiology, seamlessly integrating clinical concepts to help reinforce understanding of basic anatomy. A structured approach to ophthalmic history taking was then introduced, emphasising key questions unique to ophthalmic assessments. The course effectively grouped common presentations into five main categories, offering a framework for formulating differential diagnoses and guiding further questioning.
The morning session continued with a practical demonstration of essential ophthalmic examination skills, including external eye exams, visual acuity and field testing, pupillary reactions, cranial nerve assessments, and fundoscopy. Students were also introduced to the Arclight, a small, affordable, and portable ophthalmoscope, particularly useful in resource-limited settings for expanding access to eyecare.
After lunch, students engaged in interactive, case-based discussions, where they applied their newly acquired knowledge to clinical scenarios. Topics covered included signs and symptoms, differential diagnoses, medical and surgical management strategies and genetic inheritance.
The day concluded with the highly anticipated ‘Ophthalmology Games’, an engaging series of seven OSCE-style stations. The stations ranged from history taking and visual assessments to explaining surgical procedures to anxious patients, offering students practical, hands-on experience.
In conclusion, the Royal College of Ophthalmologist’s Student Ophthalmology Review Day provided an excellent overview of ocular anatomy, physiology and clinical scenarios students are likely to encounter in their medical training. The course not only enhanced students’ understanding of ophthalmic principles but also offered invaluable opportunities to develop essential examination skills and receive personalised feedback.
