Mohamed Baana
There’s something magical about restoring a person’s ability to see. The transformation, often achieved in a matter of minutes, can bring a life-changing impact. Witnessing this for the first time sparked a feeling I hadn’t felt before—a deep-seated desire to be part of a field where precision, skill, and compassion come together to give people the world back in vivid detail.
In medical school, I wasn’t always sure which path I wanted to pursue. Surgery seemed like a natural choice, especially given my family’s influence—my uncles and grandfather were all surgeons, specialising in general, paediatric, and orthopaedic surgery. They had built meaningful careers, and I felt the weight of their legacy as I considered my future. Nevertheless, nothing quite resonated with me, and for a while, I felt adrift, unsure of where I truly belonged. I always wanted to be different, envisioning a path that was uniquely my own.
Then, in the summer of 2018, I was fortunate enough to secure an elective placement in ophthalmology at Star Hospital in Malindi, Kenya during the end of my third year in Medical school. This experience became a turning point. Watching ophthalmologists perform sight-restoring procedures was nothing short of astounding. In minutes, they transformed lives, granting patients the ability to see their loved ones, the world around them, and even their own reflection, often for the first time in years. I was mesmerised not only by the precision and skill required but by the immediate, life-changing impact of their work. Ophthalmology wasn’t just another specialty; it was a field that combined surgical skill with profound, tangible results, and I left that elective inspired and determined.
However, after graduation, my enthusiasm was tempered by the challenges I faced as an International Medical Graduate (IMG). The path to ophthalmology in the UK is one of the most competitive, requiring a meticulous portfolio that can be daunting to build, especially for IMGs. Over time, the demands of the application process and portfolio scoring standards left me feeling that perhaps this dream was out of reach. I pivoted toward Core Surgical Training (CST), focusing on a pathway that seemed more attainable.
In 2024, I committed myself to urology, a surgical specialty where I could continue to build my skills and deepen my knowledge. Working in urology provided invaluable experience in surgical technique, patient consent, and managing complex cases—all essential skills that shaped me into a more well-rounded clinician. While I learned a great deal, my initial spark for ophthalmology lingered in the background. Despite the rewarding moments in urology, I gradually realised that the fulfilment I was seeking lay back in the specialty I once set aside.
Reflecting on Confucius’s words, “Choose a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life,” I understood that ophthalmology was not just a career choice for me—it was a calling. Remembering the incredible impact of those sight-restoring surgeries, I felt reconnected with the reason I entered medicine in the first place. I knew that I had to follow my passion, no matter how competitive the path might be.
After a year of focusing on CST preparation, I have now completely redirected my attention back to ophthalmology, armed with a newfound resilience and commitment. The obstacles may be significant, but I am ready to embrace the journey ahead, dedicated to a career that aligns with my skills, my passions, and my ultimate purpose: helping people see the world anew.