Ophthalmology
Maximising the ocular surface prior to cataract surgery: The old and the new modalities of treatment
Cataract surgery is among the most commonly performed surgical procedures worldwide. Over time, it has evolved from a lens-extraction procedure into a refractive intervention that demands meticulous perioperative planning and precision to achieve optimal outcomes. Optimisation of the ocular surface...
Dropless cataract surgery
Dropless cataract surgery (DCS) describes the complete provision of anti-inflammatory and antibiotic prophylaxis intraoperatively. This eliminates the need for postoperative eyedrops to be self-administered by the patient and thus is also known as ‘dropless after cataract surgery’ (DACS) (n.b. this...
The role of artificial intelligence in cataract surgery: An overview
Cataracts are still a leading cause of blindness and, with an ageing population, that burden will only grow [1]. Increasingly experts are leaning on technology such as ‘Surgery 4.0’ [2] – where smart machines and artificial intelligence (AI) slide into...
Intraocular lens choice in patients who have undergone previous corneal refractive surgery
Patients who underwent vision correction in their 20s to 40s are now entering their 50s and 60s, the typical starting age for cataract development [1]. Consequently, ophthalmologists are increasingly encountering patients whose corneal profiles have been surgically altered, requiring advanced...
Astigmatism correction in cataract surgery: Why are we still hesitating?
Toric spectacle lenses were first described in 1847 by George Biddell Airy, and their adoption was, presumably, gradual at that time. Today, correction of astigmatism with glasses is routine. In a recent survey, 87.2% of spectacle prescriptions contained at least...
Ophthalmic entrepreneurship: Reflections from an ophthalmic surgeon
For many ophthalmic trainees and newly appointed consultants, the idea of medical entrepreneurship can feel distant and sometimes uncomfortable. We are trained in a profession centred on patient care, ethics and service. The word entrepreneur, by contrast, often brings to...
Albinism: Celebrating international awareness, advocacy and clinical insights
Albinism is a group of inherited genetic disorders which occurs worldwide, regardless of ethnicity or gender, and that affects melanin production in the hair, skin and eyes. Prevalence varies globally, ranging from approximately 1 in 20,000 individuals in Europe and...
Cataract surgery in corneal disease
Cataract surgery in the presence of corneal disease presents multiple challenges, from determining whether symptoms are lenticular or corneal in origin, to decisions regarding timing of surgery, intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation, IOL selection, surgical technique and perioperative care. Realistic...
The eye as a window to the brain: Non-invasive neuromonitoring
This article has been verified for CPD. Click the button below to answer a few short questions and download a form to be included in your CPD folder. Neuromonitoring, for example in conditions causing raised intracranial pressure (ICP) such as...
Empowering primary care patients registered blind or partially sighted
With two million people in the UK living with visual impairment [1], being able to provide equitable and effective communication to this group of patients is essential in primary care. Yet, as highlighted by research conducted by Sight Loss Councils,...
Ultra-widefield imaging in glaucoma: Documenting hypotony-related choroidal effusions after microshunt surgery
Ultra-widefield (UWF) imaging provides extended visualisation of the posterior segment beyond the traditional 30–50° field of view. It captures a broad view of the posterior pole and periphery in a single, quick, non-mydriatic acquisition. While its role in diabetic retinopathy...
Corneal confocal microscopy: A window into peripheral nerve health
This article has been verified for CPD. Click the button below to answer a few short questions and download a form to be included in your CPD folder. Corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) is an advanced, non-invasive imaging technique that has...
