In the busy, stressful lives that many of us lead, a good way to unwind in the evenings is to watch one of the celebrity panel TV shows such as Would I Lie To You? or Have I Got News...
When people ask me what life in the laboratory is really like, I often pause. On one hand, it is the romantic notion of pushing back the boundaries of science with the daily rhythm of experiments, data and easily obtained...
Periorbital (preseptal) and orbital cellulitis are infections of the subcutaneous tissues of the eye. They are differentiated by the location of the infection. Periorbital cellulitis refers to infection of the eyelid and subcutaneous tissues anterior to the orbital septum, whereas...
Medical negligence, or clinical negligence, refers to a breach of duty of care by healthcare professionals that results in harm or injury to a patient. In the UK, medical negligence is a serious issue that can have profound consequences for...
The authors look at the reasons behind medico-legal cases reported to MPS and share key learning points. Complications following ophthalmology surgery are rare, however, medico-legal cases are not uncommon due to the significant impact they can have on patients’ lifestyles....
Back in 2000 Sir Liam Donaldson wrote a piece of work commissioned by the then Secretary of State for Health entitled “An Organisation with a Memory”. We are now 18 years on and still some of the recommendations from them...
ICO Director for Examinations and Assessments, Simon Keightley, explains the history and role of the organisation today, as well as outlining recent changes to the ICO examinations. The International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) is the only international medical specialty organisation...
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...
“In the midst of tragedy, we start the comedy” – Agatha Christie, The ABC Murders. Throughout a career in medicine, we are often faced with tragedy. One of the coping mechanisms is to use humour to navigate the mini everyday...
“I want you to deal with your problems by becoming rich” As declared by Jordan Belfort in a motivational speech to his staff in the film Wolf of Wall Street (2013). Unfortunately, medicine as a career does not lead to...
Poppers retinopathy is a relatively unknown phenomenon which afflicts users of poppers but should be considered as a differential in sudden-onset or sub-acute visual acuity loss – particularly in patients with a history of recreational drug use. Raising awareness of...
Thank you to all those who participated in this edition’s survey and for those of you who attended my recent Medico-legal Seminar at the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. It was a fascinating and educational day, made a success by the...