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The 2021-2022 ophthalmology ST1 application process

Harry Rosen updates us on what is involved in the current UK Ophthalmology Specialist Training (OST) programme application process. The process of applying to the UK Ophthalmology Specialist Training (OST) programme is constantly changing each year, adapting to the needs...

The value of hospital placements in ophthalmology in general practice specialty training

Pratik Bikkannavar provides insights into the potential benefits a placement in ophthalmology provides General Practice Specialty Trainees (GPSTs) and its valuable purpose for the wider ophthalmic community. Ophthalmic complaints are known to account for up to 1 in every 20...

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...

How to write and publish a case report – tips and common pitfalls

Ophthalmology is an extremely popular specialty, with the competition ratio at ST1 level entry being 10:1 in 2023 [1]. Consequently, applicants are required to achieve higher portfolio scores to remain competitive. For those considering a career in ophthalmology, two points...

How to get the most out of your medical school ophthalmology placement

Ophthalmology has become a very popular speciality, generating a vast interest amongst medical students with competition for training posts increasing yearly. Yet it is often difficult to get adequate exposure to the speciality prior to applications, with very limited time...

A near miss

A 55-year-old gentleman presented with a ‘blurry patch’ to his left eye which he had noticed for the past two months. The visual acuity with correction was 6/5 in the right eye and 6/6 in the left eye on the...

Light in darkness – manual small incision cataract surgery in India

Cataract has been documented to be the most significant cause of bilateral blindness in India, where vision <20/200 in the better eye on presentation is defined as blindness [1,2]. Estimation of blindness in India by the World Health Organization (WHO)...

Principles of contact lens fitting in keratoconus

Keratoconus is an ectatic condition of the cornea characterised by progressive conical distortion with irregular astigmatism, myopia and apical protrusion. Most cases progress slowly resulting in varying degrees of myopic astigmatism. Management of keratoconus includes spectacles, soft contact lenses, a...

Ophthalmology in the Middle East: Reflections from two electives in Jordan and the UAE

In the summer of 2021, I was fortunate enough to embark on two electives in ophthalmology at the Shami Eye Centre in Amman, Jordan, and Moorfields Eye Hospital in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). These eye hospitals serve distinct populations,...

Ophthalmology elective in China

Wandering through the bustling streets of Zhejiang, China, immersed in the harmonious blend of modernity and tradition, I made my way to the Eye Centre of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University College of Medicine. The aroma of traditional Chinese...

The increasing privatisation of ophthalmology: How has and how will it affect resident doctors?

It’s well known that the rising number of private ophthalmology providers in the UK have continued to increase their market share in providing various services. Referrals from NHS trusts have continued to increase with nearly 60% of cataract operations being...

Record rise in competition ratios for ophthalmology: What does this mean for the future of the ophthalmology training programme?

In this article, Adina Smith discusses factors likely to contribute to the record rise in competition ratios and the impact this may have on the future of OST. Ophthalmology specialty training (OST) is the fifth most competitive training programme in...