Ophthalmology
Post-Brexit deal welcomed but leaves future relationship with EU far from settled
Rod McNeil breaks down the impact of the Brexit deal on healthcare in the UK, including medicines regulation, research funding, sharing of information and the ability to work abroad. A disorderly no-deal exit from the European Union (EU) was averted...
Decoding the red eye
Red eye, or hyperaemia, is one of the most common presentations to primary care [1] and the emergency department [2]. However, despite this the underlying cause is often misdiagnosed which can lead to severe, sight-threatening conditions being missed [1]. Thorough...
Eyecare education in times of COVID-19
A collaboration between the German Committee for the Prevention of Blindness (DKVB), Rukwa regional government in Tanzania and the University of St Andrews Global Health Team successfully delivered a hybrid teaching programme for ophthalmic nurses in Sumbawanga, south west Tanzania,...
Saving sight and changing lives: working with Syrian refugees in Jordan
Two ophthalmologists from the Emory Eye Center share their three-year experience of treating refugees in the camps in Jordan. Jordan currently hosts an estimated 1.4 million Syrian people who have fled the war in their home country. Cataract & Cornea...
Development of a modern surgical simulation suite to promote safer ophthalmic surgical training
For trainees, having access to surgical simulation equipment is more important than ever. The authors describe the creation of a bespoke teaching and training suite in Glasgow to help trainees develop their skills and promote surgical excellence. Simulation has become...
Designing ophthalmology services Part 3: How do we address the queues post‑COVID-19?
Part 1 of this series available herePart 2 of this series available here There is going to be enormous demand on ophthalmology services as they start to welcome patients back. The authors explain how modelling can help make the most...
Educational concerns and anxiety levels amongst ophthalmology trainees during the COVID-19 pandemic
How concerned are ophthalmology trainees about the present impact and the future consequences of suspended ophthalmic training programmes? Researchers in the West of Scotland investigate. Anxiety, stress and the longer-term stress reaction of burnout often go unrecognised, yet are known...
The Re-humanising Revolution: Breaking the conspiracy of silence
Over the last few years, the mental and emotional wellbeing of those who work in medicine has come under scrutiny. The author introduces a new resource. Working in healthcare has always been stressful but never more so than today. In...
Nanosecond laser cataract surgery
The authors review the evidence for nanosecond laser cataract surgery: is this the future? Cataract is a leading cause of visual impairment worldwide, and cataract surgery is one of the most successful and cost-effective healthcare interventions, with a great impact...
Corporate M&A pace gathers momentum
Intensifying franchise competition, maturing product development pipelines and looming loss of exclusivity spur renewed merger and acquisition (M&A) activity in the ophthalmics sector. Rod McNeil reviews recent deals and related strategic developments. AbbVie to acquire Allergan in $63 billion mega-combination,...
Preoperative povidone iodine: weighing the risks
Following on from our recent online survey, the authors examine the potential risks and benefits of diluting the concentration preoperative povidone iodine. Povidone iodine (PI) is an iodophore that has an established use as a broad-spectrum antiseptic, mainly for the...
Intracameral antibiotics in cataract surgery: current evidence base
Following on from our recent online survey*, the authors examine the use of intracameral cefuroxime as the standard of care in cataract surgery. Cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures in the...
