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Under pressure: a tool to aid the 
non-ophthalmic practitioner in the timely management of acute angle closure

Acute angle closure is a true ophthalmic emergency that mandates timely diagnosis and treatment. The priority in initial management is to lower the intraocular pressure in an expeditious matter using medical treatments. The risk of irreversible glaucomatous optic neuropathy is...

Do steroids prevent progression to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR)?

There is continuing debate on the merits of pan-retinal photocoagulation (PRP) for severe pre-proliferative and proliferative DR versus the newer therapies that inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). This has been hotly debated [1] following the publication of findings from...

Papilloedema: an update

Some readers may have seen a recent report in the national newspapers of the case of a teenage girl with persistent severe headache associated with a fatal brain tumour having been undiagnosed despite many consultations with her medical advisers. It...

A complicated case of cytomegalovirus viremia: “What would you do doctor?”

Mrs W walked gracefully into my urgent care clinic. It was another busy session and I hoped she did not have anything serious going on which might slow the clinic further. She was an elegant 72-year-old lady who seemed like...

Globes in space: What would happen to our globes on the globe of Mars?

Many films have been made regarding life on alternative planets. With the Mars One mission approaching in 2023, there are high expectations regarding future interplanetary travel. The authors provide an ophthalmology perspective on what could happen to our eyes if...

Cataract incidence rates in patients from the UK suffering with diabetes mellitus

The authors summarise the main findings from a recent study which investigated the incidence rates of cataract in patients with or without diabetes mellitus (DM). Background to the study Worldwide, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 253 million people...

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...

The Leicester Grading System for Foveal Hypoplasia

The University of Leicester Ulverscroft Eye Unit have published the first medical grading system named after the city of Leicester. Infantile nystagmus is characterised by constant and involuntary eye movements and affects 24 per 10,000 people [1]. Onset is usually...

My top five eye-related webinars during lockdown

1. Alcon Experience Academy The Alcon Experience Academy ran a non-promotional educational series from 12 May to 23 June 2020. Being mildly biased as a junior trainee, this has to be rated by far the best series due to its...

Is patient masking leading to an increase in post-op infection after eyelid surgery?

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of facemasks or face coverings in the clinical setting has become necessary. It is important to recognise that facemasks can be a source of infection after eye surgery and consider ways to minimise...

DMEK vs. UT-DSAEK: has the debate been finally concluded?

In recent years the surgical treatment of corneal endothelial dystrophy has progressed tremendously. Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) is the newest iteration in the line of rapid surgical advances that has taken place. However, the previously accepted gold standard prior...

Valuable resources for FRCOphth Part 1 exam preparation

The FRCOphth Part 1 exam is a difficult exam with an average pass rate of 46% in the last year. It is a requirement before entry into the third year of ophthalmology specialty training (OST). Passing this exam during foundation...