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The Case of Dr Bawa-Garba – Where does the buck stop?

The case of Hadiza Bawa-Garba has left all of us in the UK medical profession with an uncomfortable taste in our mouths. We all know that we work under pressure and we will inevitably make mistakes. We all know that...

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...

End stage glaucoma management

A 48-year-old female has had multiple drug treatment for glaucoma and is still losing field of vision. How do you manage this over time? This patient is at high-risk for going blind and should be managed aggressively to protect remaining...

Patients blinded by stem cells! How safe are they really?

Simerdip Kaur takes a look at the latest ophthalmology-related news stories and asks which are based on facts and which are ‘fake news’. Headline: Patients blinded by stem cells! How safe are they really? Ever since the successful results following...

The meaning of life

Supercomputer: “The answer to the great question of Life, the Universe and Everything is…”Programmer: “Yes…?”Supercomputer: “42. It was a tough assignment”.Programmer: “42? Is that all you have got to show for seven and a half million years work?” In this...

From trainee to teacher: Top tips for teaching fellow applications

Getting into ophthalmology training has become increasingly competitive in recent years. In 2025, the competition ratio rose to over 21:1, compared to 3:1 in 2019 [1,2]. Similar trends are seen across other specialties, with over 30,000 doctors applying for just...

Crombie comes home: Tips and hacks for the FRCOphth Part 1

This article offers a reflection on preparation, strategies and insights gained while preparing for a first exam encounter: the FRCOphth Part 1. Preparing for the FRCOphth Part 1, the first major hurdle on the path to fellowship of the Royal...

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH)

IIH is a medical condition where the intracranial pressure (ICP) is raised without an obvious cause. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is produced in by the choroid plexus in the lateral ventricles and the roof of the third and fourth ventricles,...

Pharma chameleon

One morning in September ’95, about a month into my first house job on the South Coast of England, I emerged from the ridiculously early ward round on the coronary care unit feeling a bit dazed and therefore headed off...