Ansam Khan
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.
Recently, I attended the Birmingham Eye Emergency Essentials Course (1), 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.
The day began with a short introduction from the teaching team before we rotated through a series of stations. In the morning, we covered core patient presenting complaints: the red eye, loss of vision, diplopia and neuro-ophthalmology and in the afternoon, we did practical stations covering slit lamp examination, removal of a foreign body, fundoscopy, eye examination, canthotomy and cantholysis and managing a chemical injury to the eye. Each station provided ample time for supervised practice in small groups, with trainees on hand to guide us through the use of the slit lamp, vision assessment, and emergency procedures such as canthotomy and cantholysis. The small-group format created an encouraging, interactive atmosphere where no question felt too silly to ask.
Key Learning Points
- Supervised practice: Performing canthotomy and cantholysis on realistic handmade models that accurately reflected orbital anatomy.
- Hands-on experience: Using the slit lamp and performing fundoscopy under supervision, reinforcing techniques often only briefly covered in medical school.
- Managing common eye presentations: Working through red eye, vision loss, and neuro-ophthalmological cases in a structured way that linked clinical signs to management decisions.
- Confidence: Learning from ophthalmology trainees who offered individual feedback and shared their experiences of managing real-life emergencies.
What was equally valuable was the chance to meet colleagues from a range of backgrounds. Conversations between everyone fostered a strong sense of collaboration. Sharing experiences of challenging eye cases, along with the reassurance that others found slit lamp examination just as tricky, made the day both instructive and enjoyable.
Would I recommend it?
I highly recommend this course to aspiring ophthalmologists because it:
- Builds confidence in essential ophthalmic skills such as slit lamp use, fundoscopy, and foreign body removal.
- Provides structured feedback and one-to-one teaching in a supportive environment.
- Offers a valuable opportunity for reflection and teaching hours in your portfolio.
- Bridges the gap between theory and hands-on experience effectively in addition to observational taster weeks.
Overall, I found the Birmingham Eye Emergency Essentials Course exceptionally well organised and rewarding. The facilitators were approachable, enthusiastic, and skilled at tailoring their teaching to each participant’s level of experience. It was a brilliant opportunity to develop practical ophthalmological skills in a relaxed and engaging setting.
For anyone who encounters eye emergencies, or hopes to pursue ophthalmology further, this course offers an excellent foundation for both confidence and competence in managing acute eye presentations.
References
- Ocular Simulation Course. Birmingham Eye Emergency Essentials Course [Internet]. Available from: https://www.ocularsimulationcourse.com/birmingham-eye-emergency-essentials-course.html [Accessed 23 Oct 2025].