Sher Ali Hashmi
Introduction
The Caledonia Oculoplastics Course is a focused educational programme designed to introduce and consolidate core principles in oculoplastic surgery. Aimed at junior ophthalmology trainees and doctors with an interest in the subspecialty, the course provides foundational theory with practical, hands-on experience. I found the course well organised, highly engaging, educational, and particularly valuable in building confidence with common oculoplastic procedures.
Course Overview
The course was held at Gartnavel General Hospital in Glasgow, Scotland. It ran as a full-day programme, beginning with registration, followed by a series of high-yield didactic sessions in the morning and an extensive practical skills session in the afternoon.
The morning programme covered essential oculoplastic topics, including external eye anatomy, entropion and ectropion, trauma, and ptosis. These sessions were delivered by experienced faculty who presented complex concepts in a clear, structured, and clinically relevant manner. A unique component was the Play-Doh modelling session, which allowed participants to visualise eyelid anatomy and surgical mechanics in a tactile and memorable way, with prizes awarded at the end.
The afternoon was dedicated to hands-on practical sessions using porcine specimens. Under close faculty supervision, participants rotated through multiple stations covering key oculoplastic procedures, including lateral tarsal strip surgery, local skin flaps, medial spindle techniques with inverting sutures and Lazy-T procedures, as well as Weiss and Quickert sutures and wedge excisions. The use of porcine tissue provided a relatively realistic and forgiving medium for skill acquisition, allowing repeated practice in a supportive learning environment.
The course concluded with closing remarks, and course feedback, with digital certificates provided the following week.
Knowledge Gained
The course significantly strengthened my understanding of applied eyelid anatomy with some pathophysiological understanding of common oculoplastic conditions. The structured teaching around entropion, ectropion, ptosis, and eyelid trauma helped clarify examination techniques and the indications for different surgical approaches. Importantly, the teaching consistently linked anatomical concepts to operative technique, which enhanced overall comprehension and retention.
Skills Acquired
A major strength of the course was its emphasis on practical skill development. The afternoon sessions allowed me to practise multiple core oculoplastic procedures in a supervised setting, improving my familiarity with tissue handling, suture placement, and stepwise surgical planning. The trainee-to-faculty ratio was excellent, with three to four trainees allocated per instructor at each station. This small group format facilitated close supervision, regular faculty input, and real-time feedback, all of which significantly enhanced the learning experience. The opportunity to observe alternative techniques and approaches across stations was particularly valuable, and by the end of the day, I felt more confident in my ability to assist with and understand these procedures in theatre.
Impact and Personal Reflection
I thoroughly enjoyed the course and found it both professionally rewarding and motivating. The organisers delivered a well-paced, thoughtfully designed programme, and the teaching faculty were consistently enthusiastic, approachable, and supportive throughout the day. The balance between didactic teaching and hands-on practice was excellent and well matched to the target audience.
The course also provided valuable networking opportunities. Lunch was held at a pleasant restaurant, creating a relaxed environment to engage with fellow attendees, who ranged from Foundation Year 2 doctors, Locum Appointment Trainees, two ST1–2 trainees and two higher-level ophthalmology trainees. These informal discussions added further value, allowing shared learning and insight into different training pathways.
Overall, the Caledonia Oculoplastics Course had a clear and positive impact on my understanding of oculoplastic surgery and reinforced my interest in the subspecialty. I would strongly recommend it to junior trainees seeking a structured, practical introduction to oculoplastics, and I would welcome the opportunity to attend future iterations of the course.