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Uncertainties and opportunities in ophthalmology training after the COVID-19 pandemic

Alexander Jones asks what impact the current pandemic will have on ophthalmology trainees. In my work as a Clinical Teaching Fellow, I have to admit that chaos is uncommon. Neither the anxious excitement of rushing to help an unwell patient...

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...

Unexpected diagnoses – stroke in children and homonymous hemianopia

We present the case of a 12-year-old child presenting with a few days history of left-sided visual loss. Upon further investigation with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) she was unexpectedly diagnosed with a right-sided chronic posterior cerebral arterial territory infarct, causing...

How to pass the FRCOphth Part 1 as a foundation trainee: some practical tips

Attempting the FRCOphth Part 1 examination as a foundation trainee requires significant time and financial commitment. Unlike the MRCP and MRCS examinations, the curriculum of this exam does not overlap with the undergraduate syllabus. As such, it is a steep...

Preparing for modern ophthalmic surgical training as a trainee

As a trainee in ophthalmology, every day you are learning more and more about the specialty. In addition, you will most likely be exploring the vast array of subspecialties that ophthalmology has to offer, and would probably be trying to...

Getting the Duke Elder examination right: reflections and tips from a medical student

The Duke Elder undergraduate prize examination is an annual exam organised by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists in the United Kingdom. Named after Sir Stewart Duke Elder, a prominent British ophthalmologist, the exam is designed to encourage undergraduate medical students...

My top five: Innovative approaches to dry AMD

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness in the developing world with its prevalence rising alongside age. In societies characterised by ageing populations, it is imperative we explore more effective treatment to alleviate the...

Bionic eyes: deciphering the neural circuitry of vision restoration

As the boundaries between technology and biology blur, retinal prosthetics, often dubbed ‘bionic eyes’, present a ground-breaking paradigm shift in addressing blindness. This article delves into the captivating scientific intricacies of these neural interfaces, exploring their mechanisms of action, current...

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...

Ophthalmology in Bangladesh

Imaging Specialist Hayley Coates steps outside her comfort zone to experience ophthalmology in a resource-poor setting. As one of the most densely populated countries in the world, Bangladesh also has one of the highest rates of preventable blindness, worldwide. It...