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Trans-sinus endoscopic removal of retrobulbar air gun pellet within the orbital apex

Injuries to the eye have been widely reported in medical literature due to a variety of mechanisms causing significant morbidity and occasional unexpected mortality for the patient [1]. It is often wrongly assumed that air gun pellets lack this potential....

Behind the eyes: Unravelling the mystery of a painless progressive proptosis

Orbital fungal infections have the potential to give rise to serious complications. While these infections typically originate in the sinuses, patients may initially exhibit ocular symptoms. As a result of the diverse and often vague clinical manifestations (especially during the...

Simplified Ophthalmic Statistics (SOS) Part 1: An introduction to data – how do we classify it and why does it matter?

Introductory statistics courses often start by explaining how data can be classified in different ways. What is not always clear is why you would need to know this. Catey Bunce and Tafadzwa Young-Zvandasara explain. The term data can be applied...

How to maximise points for your ophthalmology portfolio as a medical student

Ophthalmology is an extremely popular and competitive career option, with one of the highest competition ratios at ST1 level entry (10:1 in 2023) [1]. It is also a highly rewarding speciality, involving: a mixture of medicine and surgery in a...

Vitreomacular traction: natural course vs. vitrectomy vs. ocriplasmin

Over time, the vitreous gel completely separates from the retina in a process known as a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). In some instances, however, the vitreous does not detach entirely and remains adherent to the macula. The term vitreomacular traction...

How good does my vision have to be to drive this thing? Visual standards for various occupations

We can all picture that moment in clinic: you are about to tell someone that they’re no longer legally able to drive, ready to deploy our ‘breaking bad news’ techniques. For some patients this may have been expected, or they...

“Herr Doktor, I can’t see but I am driving”

This 56-year-old lady was quite puzzling. With her own glasses and the pinhole she merely managed to see the 1.3 and 1.0 logMAR lines with her right and left eye, respectively (I am currently working in Germany again, so goodbye...

Simulation in ophthalmology: a pedagogic viewpoint

The advent of simulation technology has enhanced modern medical training. The first utilisation of simulation was in 1929 where Edward Link used this concept to develop a mechanical flight simulator [1]. Industries such as aviation, nuclear power and the military...

Anisometropia following cataract surgery and its non-surgical treatment

The desired result of cataract surgery is improved visual acuity without the use of spectacles. In practice most patients following initial cataract extraction are likely to be symptomatic of anisometropia giving rise to prismatic effects (anisophoria) and unequal retinal image...

“I can’t see nothing out of that eye, you ....!”

This is exactly the call you don’t want to receive at 11 at night. The A&E colleague phoned to inform me about a young man who was kicked several times in the face and could not see out of one...

Obtaining US clinical experience in ophthalmology as a UK medical student or junior doctor

Medical students or junior doctors in the UK may be interested in gaining US clinical experience for many reasons. Unfortunately, many trainees do not know how to arrange these and there is a common misconception that it is difficult to...