The primary goals of anaesthesia for cataract surgery are to provide adequate analgesia, minimise patient anxiety and movement, and facilitate rapid postoperative recovery. Although general anaesthesia was historically the standard approach, it is now rarely used and is reserved for selected patients, including children, individuals with cognitive impairment, severe anxiety or claustrophobia and those with significant head tremor. Advances in phacoemulsification, foldable intraocular lenses and microincision techniques have driven a shift towards regional and topical anaesthetic approaches. Consequently, most cataract procedures are now performed as day-case surgeries under local anaesthesia.

Eye presentations are frequent in general practice, but many referrals are delayed or less effective because key examination findings aren’t documented. Particularly visual acuity and “red flag” features. Quality improvement work in primary care shows that simple prompts and a standardised approach can markedly improve documentation of high-yield findings.

Graves’ orbitopathy (GO), also called thyroid eye disease, is the most common extrathyroidal manifestation of Graves’ disease. The European Group on Graves’ Orbitopathy (EUGOGO) is an international, multidisciplinary scientific society with a goal of improving the care of patients with GO. It’s multicentric network contributes towards a better understanding of GO, its pathogenesis, newer therapies and their translation into clinical practice by carrying out large randomised controlled trials (RCT). Evidence-based data is combined to create treatment recommendations.

Optic disc coloboma is a rare congenital anomaly of the optic nerve head caused by partial or complete failure of closure of the embryonic fissure. It is characterised by a sharply demarcated, bowl-shaped excavation that replaces part of the optic disc. The defect most commonly involves the inferior nasal aspect of the disc and may extend to involve the retina, uvea, and sclera.

Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) is a chorioretinal disorder defined by serous detachment of the neurosensory retina. The disease commonly involves the macula. The disease most commonly affects young to middle-aged adults. It represents a major cause of central visual complaints in people between the ages of 35-55. CSCR is usually a self-limiting condition. However, chronic or recurrent disease can cause persistent visual symptoms and irreversible changes to the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and outer retina. New developments in retinal imaging have significantly evolved understanding of CSCR pathophysiology. It is currently recognised primarily as a disorder of choroidal vascular dysfunction within the pachychoroid disease spectrum, instead of a condition stemming from RPE abnormalities.

Albinism encompasses a group of heterogenous genetic conditions affecting the melanin synthesis pathway leading to a reduction or absence in melanin production. In ophthalmology, albinism can be broadly categorised into two groups: oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) and ocular albinism (OA). In OCA, hypopigmentation involves the skin, hair, and eyes, whereas in OA pigmentary changes are limited to ocular structures, primarily the iris and retina. Both OA and OCA are rare disorders that share similar characteristic ocular findings and visual challenges. This article focuses on oculocutaneous albinism.

An FY2 rotation offers a unique opportunity to address this gap, it allows foundation doctors to develop focused history taking and clinical examination skills. This helps build confidence in managing both acute and chronic ophthalmic conditions. These skills are transferable across general practice, emergency medicine, and a range of medical and surgical specialties.

Ocular rosacea is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting the eyelids, ocular surface, and periocular tissues. It is a recognised subtype of rosacea and may present with or without cutaneous involvement. Ocular rosacea is frequently underdiagnosed due to nonspecific symptoms and variable skin findings. Clinical features include chronic blepharitis, meibomian gland dysfunction and dry eye disease. There can also be recurrent chalazia, with potential progression to corneal ulceration, scarring and perforation if untreated. This overview summarises the epidemiology, pathophysiology, etiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, differential diagnoses and current management strategies for ocular rosacea. Thus, emphasising the importance of early recognition and multidisciplinary care.

Posterior staphyloma (PS) is an outpouching of a circumscribed region in posterior fundus and has been considered as a hallmark feature of pathologic myopia. Posterior staphyloma can occur in non-highly myopic eyes, such as retinitis pigmentosa, tilted disc syndrome, etc. and has been reported in associated with trauma or infection. Pathologic myopia refers to ocular complications of high myopia  (severe near-sightedness), which increase the risk of vision-threatening complications.

Visual loss remains the most feared complication of giant cell arteritis (GCA), often resulting in permanent disability despite prompt treatment. Although the classical features of GCA are well described, real-world presentations of GCA-related visual loss are frequently heterogeneous, subtle or atypical, contributing to delayed recognition and poor outcomes. This case series describes the visual presentations, warning symptoms and visual outcomes of patients with confirmed GCA-related vision loss managed at a district general hospital. By integrating these observations with existing literature, this article explores recurring patterns, diagnostic pitfalls and clinical reflections relevant to trainees across multiple specialties. The findings reinforce the need for a high index of suspicion, even in the absence of classical prodromal symptoms, and highlight the narrow therapeutic window for preventing irreversible visual impairment.