My journey into ophthalmology began with a singular, transformative experience during my medical training. A scheduled surgical observation session at a tertiary centre in Northwest England proved to be the catalyst for my professional aspirations. While some colleagues discover their calling through extensive exploration across various specialties, my path crystallized during a single procedure. Observing a phacoemulsification surgery—a routine operation for experienced ophthalmologists—revealed the precision and artistry of the field to me as a 22-year-old medical student.

Undertaking an ophthalmology elective was one of the most valuable experiences of my medical school journey. Whether you're considering a career in ophthalmology or simply exploring the field, an elective offers far more than clinical exposure. It provides a unique opportunity for personal and professional growth, immersing you in an unfamiliar environment, embracing cultural nuances, and deepening your understanding of eye care delivery across different healthcare systems. During my elective at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, I gained exposure to a wide range of ophthalmic conditions, assisted in clinics, observed specialised surgeries, and contributed to a project on low-vision aids. This experience was truly eye-opening, and in this reflection, I’ll share my insights on what worked, what didn’t, and what I wish I’d known before embarking on this journey.

As I started the day meeting a patient living with advanced cataracts in both eyes, I was struck by the life-altering impact of vision loss. This defining moment underscored the invaluable role of accessible ophthalmic care, a reality I witnessed first-hand at the Railway Hospitals of Madurai, India. The Railway Hospitals of Madurai, India, provide a captivating setting for an elective experience abroad.

The exposure to Ophthalmology in the author’s undergraduate medical training was quite limited. Worldwide, the time spent in ophthalmology courses is decreasing, with the longest exposure by continent being recorded in Africa, with the shortest being recorded in North America. Visualisation of the back of the eye may be paramount to an inexperienced resident doctor’s job, where the ability to perform a simple technique such as fundoscopy may help to rule out raised intracranial pressure by checking for signs such as papilloedema.

The UKEGS annual meeting in 2024 was a 2-day event held in the beautiful coastal city of Southampton, in the National Oceanographic Centre, celebrating 50 years. The UKEGS conference provided an exciting opportunity to listen to interesting cases related to Glaucoma from reputable speakers, gain an insight into technological advances within this field, view posters on display and more importantly have an opportunity to interact and associate with giants within the field of Glaucoma. 

As a final-year medical student keen on pursuing a career in Ophthalmology, I spent my elective at Sankara Eye Hospital, a large speciality eye hospital in Bangalore, India. It was an exciting opportunity to spend time in a healthcare system facing challenges with the ever-growing demand of a 1.4 billion population. I hope to share my thoughts on how Indian healthcare systems have adapted to the ever-growing demands and what we could learn as the demand for NHS services grows. In this piece, I will aim to reflect on my elective experience abroad using the Gibbs Reflective Cycle.

The European Vitreoretinal Society (EVRS) Meeting 2024, held in the breathtaking city of Budapest, Hungary, in November 2024, was a remarkable convergence of knowledge, innovation, and collaboration in the field of vitreoretinal medicine. Renowned for its commitment to advancing retinal care, the EVRS once again provided an exceptional platform for sharing groundbreaking research, discussing complex cases, and exploring the future of ophthalmology.

Migraines are a common presentation to the emergency department. They are noted to be the most common primary headache disorder and ranked the 2nd most disabling disease globally by the Global Burden of Disease study 2016. Data from the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom further support this, with admission rates for headaches having risen by 14% over a 5-year period in 2018/19.

Ahmad Khalifa Introduction My medical elective experience in Syria revealed the profound impact of the ongoing conflict and resource limitations on healthcare delivery, underscoring the need for a comprehensive understanding…

This article will discuss where we currently stand in the use of retinal Imaging methods with the aid of AI for the development of ophthalmological practice. A specific implementation of AI that is available now relies on pattern recognition and grouping of images with similar findings and patterns which can be used to aid in the research and development of a better understanding of retinal pathologies, particularly chronic ones. However, the prospective use that I want to discuss is the clinical aid of AI in early triage for use by non-ophthalmology clinicians who usually have not one but multiple barriers in providing enough information for an effective referral/handover to more senior clinicians specializing in Ophthalmology.