Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes damage to the optic nerve, leading to progressive vision loss. This condition disproportionately affects patients of African descent, where it can be seen in much younger patients and with increased severity (1). Despite the increased prevalence in this sub-population, most of the leading research used to inform treatment guidelines predominantly involves Caucasians. It leads us to ask: are Black patients truly being treated with evidence-based medicine, or are we relying on evidence that has been extrapolated from non-Black populations?

Taster weeks have always been a valuable chance to explore different specialties during foundation training. For those interested in ophthalmology, they also add to the portfolio when applying for specialty training. However, while most pre-made taster week schedules are structured around subspecialty clinics and theatre sessions, I chose to spend my time entirely in eye casualty and found it to be the most rewarding environment. I believe all foundation trainees - whether or not they plan to pursue ophthalmology - can benefit from the experience.

In the UK, eye (ocular) cancers account for around 880 new diagnoses annually, with uveal melanoma being the most common subtype; the choroid is the most frequently affected site. A subset study in England (2006–2010) estimated approximately 382 cases per year (≈88%) involve the choroid, while around 52 cases (≈12%) involve the ciliary body or iris. Other sources suggest choroidal involvement ranges from 85–90%, ciliary body 5–8%, and iris 3–5%.

A coloboma is a congenital defect which occurs due to incomplete closure of the optic fissure, which normally occurs between the fifth and seventh week of foetal development. The resultant effect is a ‘hole’ within an area of ocular tissue, and can affect the optic nerve, macula, choroid/retina, ciliary body, uvea, iris, lens or eyelids.

‘Dysphotopsia’ describes an adverse effect from cataract surgery, which can either be categorised as ‘positive’ or ‘negative’.  Positive dysphotopsias refer to bright artefacts of light, often in the form of flashes, glares or haloes of light, which are most commonly located centrally or in the periphery. Conversely, negative dysphotopsias denote a temporal shadow, which is dark in character and typically arc-shaped (1). Despite not being an inflammatory or painful adverse effect of cataract surgery, dysphotopsias can be particularly bothersome to patients, and result in great anxiety and dissatisfaction post-operatively. Hence, this article aims to provide an insight into the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of negative dysphotopsia to aid the clinician in counselling on this side effect pre-operatively and managing it if required.