Maryam Jafari

Introduction

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.

I recently attended the Haag-Streit Slit Lamp Basic Skills Course, a full-day, immersive program. This article reflects on the structure of the course, the key learning points, and its relevance for foundation trainees. For those with an interest in ophthalmology, the course provides an opportunity to build competence and confidence in a core clinical skill, while also contributing to specialty training portfolios.

Course Setting & Structure

The course I attended was held at the Haag-Streit UK Academy HQ, though it’s also delivered at other locations. It was led by a team of experts, with guest speaker Mr Sunil Mamtora guiding key sessions. Designed by clinicians for clinicians, the course is suitable for everyone – from beginners to those looking to refine their skills.

The day began with a talk covering the basics of slit lamp use and an overview of eye anatomy. This was followed by live demonstrations, showing how small adjustments to the lamp or your positioning can make a big difference in what you see. We then moved on to more specialist techniques, including Goldmann applanation tonometry and the principles of fundoscopy.

One of the highlights was the hands-on workshops. Small groups rotated through stations where we could practice using the slit lamp, try different accessories, and get individual feedback. Being able to apply what we’d learned in a practical setting really helped consolidate the theory.

The course also included pre- and post-course e-learning, which was useful for preparing beforehand and consolidating skills learnt on the course afterwards. For those wanting to advance their skills further, Haag-Streit runs an Advanced Slit Lamp course the following day, which goes into even more detail.

Key Learning Themes

Some of the main things I took away from the day included:

• Reinforcing the basics: The anatomy talks and demonstrations made it much clearer why lamp settings and angles matter.
• Visualisation techniques: Watching the live demos showed how simple adjustments change what you can see.
• Tonometry & calibration: Learning how to calibrate and use the tonometer highlighted how small errors can affect readings.
• Practical experience: Getting hands-on with the slit lamp, fundoscopy, and different lenses under supervision really boosted my confidence.
• Common pitfalls & tips: The speakers pointed out frequent mistakes, from lighting to positioning, which are easy to overlook in a busy clinic.

Networking & Interactive Learning

Another great part of the course was meeting other attendees from different backgrounds. Sharing experiences and discussing challenges was really valuable. To wrap up the day, we had a quick interactive quiz, which reinforced the key points from the workshops and talks and made the learning fun.

Why It’s Valuable for Foundation Trainees

The course is particularly useful for foundation trainees because:

• It builds confidence in a core clinical skill that isn’t always covered in depth during rotations.
• Skills like slit lamp examination, fundoscopy, and tonometry are useful across ophthalmology, emergency medicine, and general medicine.
• You can claim CPD points and document the learning in your portfolio.
• Structured feedback and hands-on practice speed up learning compared to just observing in clinic.

Conclusion

I really enjoyed the Haag-Streit Slit Lamp Basic Skills Course. It was a hands-on, well-organized, and practical way to improve slit lamp skills. Mr Sunil Mamtora was friendly and made the sessions interactive, which made learning more engaging. I also enjoyed networking with other attendees and sharing experiences. Being able to practice techniques and simulate cases was fun and invaluable for building confidence.

Overall, it’s an excellent course for anyone wanting to improve their slit lamp skills – whether you’re a foundation trainee, a nurse, or any other eye care professional. It’s practical, enjoyable, and definitely worth attending.

Further Reading

Haag-Streit UK. Slit Lamp Basic Skills Courses. Haag-Streit Academy. Available at: https://eshopuk.haag-streit.com/product/haag-streit-academy/slit-lamp-basic-skills-courses [Accessed 3 Oct 2025].