What Makes Ophthalmology Documentation Different? A Beginner’s Guide

  • Reading time:4 mins read
  • Post author:Badr Bahaj
  • Post category:Article

Most students and junior doctors are familiar with the standard medical clerking structure: history, past medical history, examination, investigations, and plan. However, when entering an ophthalmology clinic or casualty, documentation quickly becomes more specialised. Notes are concise, anatomy-driven, laterality-specific, and often incorporate diagrams. Understanding this distinctive style is essential for patient safety and for making the most of an ophthalmology placement.

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Successful Management of Candida Fungal Keratitis in an Elderly Patient Using Amphotericin B: A Case Report

  • Reading time:7 mins read
  • Post author:Owais Tahhan, Diya Baker
  • Post category:Article

Fungal keratitis is a challenging ocular infection, particularly in patients with predisposing factors such as diabetes mellitus and prior ocular surgery. We present the case of an elderly man with a history of penetrating keratoplasty and insulin dependent diabetes who developed Candida keratitis in his right eye. Initial treatment with topical natamycin was started following positive fungal scrapings, but due to supply shortages, therapy was transitioned to topical amphotericin B combined with chlorhexidine. Despite the recognised limitations of amphotericin B, including poor corneal penetration and potential toxicity, the patient’s infection resolved successfully with this regimen. This case highlights both the efficacy of natamycin as first-line therapy and the potential of amphotericin B as a valuable second-line option when standard treatment is unavailable. It underscores the importance of early diagnosis, aggressive antifungal therapy, and flexibility in adapting management strategies to resource limitations. Further studies are warranted to optimise antifungal treatment protocols and improve outcomes in fungal keratitis.

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Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS): An Overview

  • Reading time:4 mins read
  • Post author:Risantini Murugan
  • Post category:Article

Glaucoma is a chronic eye condition in which impaired drainage of aqueous humour leads to elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) and progressive optic nerve damage. Traditionally, it has been managed with medications, laser therapy, or invasive surgeries such as trabeculectomy and aqueous shunt implantation. Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) encompasses a range of less invasive procedures that target the trabecular meshwork, suprachoroidal space or Schlemm’s canal, designed to bridge the gap between medications, laser therapy, and conventional surgery. While MIGS is relatively new, having been in clinical use for just over a decade, it has rapidly evolved and gained acceptance among glaucoma specialists. Importantly, MIGS is often performed alongside cataract surgery, which can enhance the pressure-lowering effect of cataract extraction itself.

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Idiopathic Full Thickness Macular Holes: Classification and Current Management Approaches

  • Reading time:8 mins read
  • Post author:Shruthi Mankal
  • Post category:Article

Idiopathic, full-thickness macular holes (iFTMH) are foveal defects involving all neuroretinal layers, accounting for 85% of macular holes. They arise from age-related vitreous changes causing vitreomacular traction and subsequent hole formation, with peak incidence between the ages 60 to 70, and a 2-3 times greater incidence in women. Symptoms include blurred vision, decreased visual acuity, metamorphopsia or central scotoma. Prompt identification is crucial to ensure appropriate management, as although a minority of cases resolve spontaneously, timely surgical intervention remains the mainstay of treatment to restore anatomy and optimise visual function (4). Advances in vitreoretinal surgery, including pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling and emerging techniques such as inverted ILM flaps having improved closure rates, even for chronic or large holes. This review provides a concise overview of the  diagnosis, classification and management of iFTMHs.

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Susac Syndrome: An Overview

  • Reading time:3 mins read
  • Post author:Reuben Oza
  • Post category:Article

Susac syndrome, characterised by branch retinal artery occlusion, encephalopathy and sensorineural hearing loss, is a rare autoimmune condition which was first described by John Susac in 1979. This article aims to provide an insight into the pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnosis and management of Susac syndrome.

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