Ophthalmology as a career and speciality within the United Kingdom is highly competitive, with a limited number of spots per year across the country, the latest reported competition ratio exceeding a 10:1 ratio. With this in mind, it is important to develop skillsets early, especially as a junior doctor, in order to ensure you are able to develop both your surgical dexterity as well as CV as an aspiring applicant.

Orbital Cellulitis is an uncommon infection involving structures both anterior to the orbital septum, and more importantly structures posterior to the septum. In the current antimicrobial era, most cases of orbital cellulitis can be management medically and complicated cases of infection are uncommon; however surgical management of infection is sometimes needed. The most common cause of orbital cellulitis is secondary to acute rhinosinusitis, however it can also arise due to direct injury, spread from facial/odontogenic infection and rarely haematogenous spread form distant sources.

Aishwarya Khanna ‘‘Red Eye’ is a sign associated with several ocular presentations. Many of these are included in the conditions list, forming the ophthalmology curriculum for medical students during their…

The WHO estimates 8.5% of the adult population have diabetes. A long-term microvascular complication of diabetes is diabetic retinopathy (DR). Among patients aged 25-74, diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of vision loss worldwide. By 2023, an estimated 191 million people will have DR of which 56.3 million are expected to have vision-threatening DR. Key determinants of the risk of developing DR are the age of the patient, duration of diabetes, and glycaemic control. This short article will describe three major metabolic pathways underlying the pathophysiology of DR.

Orkun Kaymaz Introduction Stickler Syndrome is a rare, hereditary connective tissue disorder characterized by a wide array of clinical features affecting multiple systems. This collagenopathy impacts the musculoskeletal system, hearing,…

The clinical manifestations of Axenfeld-Rieger Syndrome can be profound and diverse, primarily affecting the eye but also involving various systemic structures. Ocular features include iris stromal hypoplasia, corectopia, polycoria, and posterior embryotoxon. These ocular abnormalities often lead to glaucoma, which can be severe and sight-threatening if left untreated.

Reports of syphilis in England have increased over the last 10 years. This bacterial infection is transmitted through direct contact with active primary and secondary lesions. Ocular syphilis can result from dissemination of the organism to different organs. Symptoms vary and include vision loss, photopsia, scotoma and eye pain. Syphilis results in ocular inflammation and typically presents with uveitis affecting both posterior and/or anterior segments. Serological testing is the mainstay of diagnosis but all patient should also be tested for HIV co-infection. Early administration of antibiotics improves prognosis.

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists annually organizes the Duke-Elder Undergraduate Prize examination, which is open for entry to all undergraduate medical students. It serves as an initial step for medical students to gain a better understanding of the field of ophthalmology. Furthermore, it contributes to enhancing one's portfolio, increasing the likelihood of securing a competitive ophthalmology training number, which, in recent years, has seen a fierce competition ratio of 10:1.

Adult-onset Foveomacular Vitelliform Dystrophy (AFVD) is a rare retinal disorder characterized by the formation of vitelliform lesions in the macular region of the retina. AVMD is associated with genetic mutations in several genes, including BEST1, PRPH2, IMPG1, and IMPG2, and it is categorized within a group of conditions known as "pattern dystrophies." While some familial cases have been reported, AFVD is predominantly sporadic in occurrence, with symptoms typically emerging in individuals between the ages of 30 and 50.

As a teaching fellow in ophthalmology, I have delivered various aspects of the curriculum, including examination skills. Direct Ophthalmoscopy (DO) is currently taught within the ophthalmology placement, and it is a skill that the GMC require medical students to develop competency in. However, perhaps due to the minimal time and exposure within ophthalmology, in what is usually a two-week placement, the students’ confidence in their ability to perform this or indeed identify abnormalities is variable. There is also evidence to show that postgraduate doctors are not confident in this skill. The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCO) encourage undergraduates and junior doctors to conduct slit lamp examination (SLE). SLE is not currently taught within the ophthalmology undergraduate curriculum across most schools. This article will discuss the possibility of developing the way we teach medical students to carry out ophthalmology examinations, and if students see value & are interested in this advancement.