“Pink eye” is a common ophthalmic presentation across patients of all age groups, however, can indicate a serious infection in neonates. Ophthalmia neonatorum (ON) is a conjunctivitis which presents within the first 28 days of life. ON typically manifests in the neonate due to the incidence of a maternal sexually transmitted infection (STI). Early recognition and treatment of ON is essential, as the infection can lead to blindness in the affected neonate.
As a Foundation Year 2 Doctor aspiring to continue training in Ophthalmology, passing the FRCOphth Part 1 examination is a rewarding and achievable milestone with the right preparation. Not only does it contribute valuable points to the inevitable portfolio, but the content itself covers the fascinating fundamentals of ophthalmic science - material that, dare I say, you might actually enjoy learning as a budding ophthalmologist.
For many resident doctors, ophthalmology can seem complicated as it is not something you come across in everyday practice. However, being able to triage eye problems, confidently use a slit lamp, and perform fundoscopy are skills that prove useful not just for ophthalmologists, but in emergency medicine and general practice. I attended the Birmingham Eye Emergency Essentials Course, a one-day course, designed to develop these exact skills. Run by ophthalmology specialty trainees at the Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre (BMEC), the course combined practical workshops with small-group tutorials. It attracted a diverse group of participants, from A&E doctors, foundation trainees to aspiring ophthalmologists, all keen to improve their approach to eye emergencies.
At a recent Basic Slit Lamp Skills course held at the Haag Streit UK Academy headquarters in October 2025, we were among the first clinicians to get hands-on experience with the Elara 900. Released last month, this device felt like a glimpse into the future - an exciting opportunity to see how a century-old instrument could be reimagined.
A lady in her 60s with primary open angle glaucoma was on latanoprost, dorzolamide/timolol combination and brimonidine drops for approximately three years. She presented to the eye casualty with a four-month history of worsening bilateral red, painful eyes with reduced vision. On examination, she had very poor vision, florid granulomatous anterior uveitis with posterior synechiae, mutton-fat keratic precipitates, and hypopyon in the left eye. Her intraocular pressures were very high despite her topical glaucoma medications. She also had bilateral follicular conjunctivitis. Investigations for systemic or infectious causes of anterior uveitis were negative.
Neurotisation is a microsurgical technique that has traditionally been used to restore sensory or motor function following peripheral nerve injury (including brachial plexus repair) but was adapted to ophthalmology in a pioneering manner starting with the corneal neurotisation procedure in 2009 - signalling a move towards complete restoration of corneal innervation rather than symptomatic therapy.
Vision loss is a growing public health issue. More than two million people in the UK are currently living with sight loss, a figure expected to double by 2050. The RNIB highlights that loss of vision often leads to reduced social participation, increased depression, and reduced physical activity. These realities became clear to me not through statistics, but through the stories of patients on the ward.
Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS) is a condition characterised by complex visual hallucinations in psychologically healthy individuals with significant visual impairment. This case report presents an elderly patient with bilateral age-related macular degeneration (AMD) who developed vivid visual hallucinations. The report discusses the presenting symptoms, investigations, differential diagnoses, pathophysiology, and management approaches for CBS. The aim is to raise awareness among clinicians to recognise and manage this frequently underreported condition effectively.
Ophthalmology ST1 recruitment remains highly competitive, with the competition ratio rising from 14.41 in 2024 to 21.54 in 2025. For the 2026 intake, the Severn Deanery has updated its Evidence Folder guidance, refining scoring criteria, clarifying evidence requirements, and introducing a candidate self-assessment component. This article provides a detailed overview of these updates, highlights domain-specific scoring changes, and offers practical guidance for applicants.
The ability to competently use a slit lamp is a fundamental skill in ophthalmology, critical for examining the eye and identifying a wide range of ocular conditions. Despite its frequent use in clinical practice, slit lamp training is not routinely included in undergraduate medical education, and many clinicians lack confidence in its correct application. Structured training in slit lamp use is therefore highly valuable - not only for doctors, but also for nurses, optometrists, and other allied health professionals involved in eye care.