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Danger Zone: Miles Hilton-Barber

“Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing at all” – Helen Keller, deafblind American author, activist, and disability rights advocate I have always had a thirst for adventure, even if it has been predominantly from the comfort of my...

The clues of the eye – what is medical ophthalmology?

The author looks at the increasingly significant role of medical ophthalmologists and the importance of integrative healthcare. The eye is a remarkable organ, and for decades we have been discovering intimations of pathology existing elsewhere in the body [1] simply...

Tackling diabetic retinopathy globally through the VISION 2020 LINKS Diabetic Retinopathy Network

It is abundantly clear that the burden of diabetes is rapidly increasing, as there are now 415 million adults with diabetes in the world, with a projected rise to 642 million by 2040 [1]. This equates to 1 in 10...

Treatment of diabetic macular oedema

Diabetic macular oedema (DMO) is a common complication associated with diabetic retinopathy, and the most common cause of visual impairment in diabetes [1]. With predicted rising levels of diabetes (in England by 2025 the estimated population with diabetes will be...

Diabetes and diabetic retinopathy: Changes in understanding of the disease over the last 25 years and how the UK is helping low-income countries tackle the challenges

Diabetes – a historical perspective Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease caused by inherited and / or acquired deficiency in production of insulin by the pancreas, or by the ineffectiveness of the insulin produced. Such a deficiency results in...

How to examine the visual system Part 2: Accommodation, pupils, fundoscopy and additional tests

Examining the visual system can be a tricky skill for medical students to master, yet it is a task that is frequently tested in examinations. This is the second of a two-part series of articles, which together aim to improve...

Mastering clinical skills in ophthalmology

To young junior doctors, and some senior doctors who may not have had much exposure to ophthalmology, the specialty can seem very foreign. Not only are the conditions and examination findings specific to the eyes, but the skill set required...

Land Ahoy! An interview with Geoff Hilton-Barber

It was during a previous interview with Miles Hilton-Barber [1] that I discovered that his older brother, Geoff, had been an inspiration to him. He informed me that Geoff was also blind from retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and had built his...

Running a high-volume nurse led intravitreal service using the Sp.eye device – the Stanley Eye Unit experience

Introduction The vast majority of ophthalmology units utilise allied healthcare professionals (AHPs) to deliver intravitreal injections (IVIs). The Royal College of Ophthalmologists issued a statement 10 years ago advocating the use of non-medical practitioners performing IVIs [1]. The main benefit...

Help the VISION 2020 LINKS & Networks Programme to save children’s sight and lives

The LINKS & Networks Programme was established at the International Centre for Eye Health (ICEH), London School of Health and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), 20 years ago to improve the quality and quantity of eye health services in low- and middle-income...