Mindfulness and cataract surgery experience in ophthalmology doctors in training

Mindfulness can be described as the state in which one is to be fully present in the moment, which draws parallels with surgery. The origins of mindfulness stem from ancient Buddhist traditions, and its utilisation in recent times in the...

Progress in retinal disease management: Highlights of the Retina Day, RCOphth 2025 Annual Congress

The Retina Day meeting at the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth) 2025 Annual Congress in Liverpool was held on 22 May 2025. This report highlights 10 selected topics of interest to subspecialists and general ophthalmologists. Decarbonising anti-VEGF clinics (or making...

Four pillars: Education

This series explores the four pillars of advanced clinical practice and here, Catherine Garrott explores the pillar of education. Advanced clinical practice applies to all allied healthcare professionals (AHP) in ophthalmology, such as nurses, orthoptists and optometrists. As our roles...

Danger Zone: Miles Hilton-Barber

“Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing at all” – Helen Keller, deafblind American author, activist, and disability rights advocate I have always had a thirst for adventure, even if it has been predominantly from the comfort of my...

Assessing the effectiveness of undergraduate ophthalmic assessments in the UK: A literature review

During 2008–2009, 300,000 patients presented to hospital emergency departments in the UK with eye conditions. This rose by nearly 200,000 over the next decade. As the population ages, the prevalence of eye disease increases [1,2]. However, the stake ophthalmology holds...

Four pillars: Exploring eye exigencies

This series explores the four pillars of advanced clinical practice and here, Jem Ann Bautista explores the pillar of clinical practice. As day case theatre practitioners in one of London’s biggest and busiest centres, our team is trained to cater...

The founder of modern ophthalmology: Sir William Stewart Duke-Elder

A recent article in Eye News by Blaikie & King highlighted the extraordinary contribution made to the profession of ophthalmology by Sir William Stewart Duke-Elder. The author felt it appropriate to take a further in-depth look at the remarkable career...

NHS Practitioner Health: Providing you with the care you deserve

Healthcare professionals carry a unique weight: the responsibility for the lives and wellbeing of others. But who takes care of the caregivers? For over 15 years, NHS Practitioner Health has been doing just that – providing vital mental health and...

Artificial intelligence and the 2024 Esme’s Umbrella Medical Student Essay Prize

Esme’s Umbrella is a charity for people with Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS), helping raise awareness of the condition as well as offering support and advice. All clinical specialties may encounter CBS, so Esme’s Umbrella inaugurated a medical student essay prize...

See sweet to C-suite: Carrie MacEwen

The business world tells us, “Know your why.” But increasingly, we live in a society where people think, “Why bother?” In this interview, David wants to know what makes Carrie MacEwen tick, and why she bothered to get involved locally,...

Should points for simulated surgery be removed from the ophthalmology ST1 evidence folder?

The benefits of the Eyesi surgical simulator by Haag-Streit UK for early career ophthalmology speciality trainees are well-established, allowing for the practice of cataract and vitreoretinal surgery in a controlled, risk-free environment. Whilst the Eyesi is an invaluable resource for...

Four Pillars: Leadership for clinical practice settings

This series explores the four pillars of advanced clinical practice and here, Regina Tavengwa explores the pillar of leadership and management. I have been in my current role as a matron for eight years, with a background of practicing as...