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Seeing things from down under: Reflecting on an ophthalmology elective in New Zealand

During March 2025, I undertook a four-week elective in ophthalmology at Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand. Having had minimal exposure to ophthalmology within my time at university, I was excited to be further immersed in it whilst also having the opportunity...

Cataract surgery training in the independent sector

I am now most of the way through my ST3 year working in Plymouth, within the Peninsula Deanery. Before the start of the year, I was approached by one of my consultants who asked if I would like to carry...

The role of clinical teaching fellows in ophthalmology: Bridging the gap as near-peer clinical skills teachers

As medical education evolves, the importance of ‘near-peer teaching’ – where trainees teach those just below them in terms of medical years – has gained recognition across specialties. In ophthalmology, a field known for its steep learning curve, niche skills...

Caring for adults with an ocular tumour

Detection If you screen for an intraocular tumour, dilate the pupil. If the patient is driving, use phenylephrine only. If the patient declines, document this in the casenotes. Don’t forget to look for sentinel vessels, which would indicate a ciliary...

My message to future ophthalmology teaching fellows: Organising an effective ophthalmology placement

Globally, teaching ophthalmology during the undergraduate period presents challenges. The time allocated for it is minimal with substandard exposure [1,2]. Additionally, the number of universities mandating formal ophthalmology education has significantly declined [3]. Research supports the observation that doctors in...