Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP) is a chronic autoimmune scarring disorder of the conjunctiva that may progress to severe visual morbidity. This review provides an overview of its clinical features, underlying immunopathology, diagnostic evaluation, and current management strategies, highlighting the importance of early recognition and systemic therapy.
As a Foundation Year 2 Doctor aspiring to train in Ophthalmology, the MSRA represents one of the first major hurdles on the path to specialty training. While it might feel like “just another exam,” success here is crucial. It opens doors to interviews and ultimately gives you a real chance of entering this competitive specialty. Beyond portfolio points, preparing for the MSRA helps you consolidate a breadth of medical knowledge that will serve you throughout your career.
Ophthalmology is entering a period of rapid and unprecedented transformation. Advances in artificial intelligence, high-resolution and home-based imaging, genomic medicine and service redesign are reshaping the clinical environment in ways that will fundamentally alter the role of the ophthalmologist. For today’s trainees (as well as tomorrow’s), understanding these shifts is an essential preparation for a career that will unfold during one of the most significant technological transitions the specialty has experienced.
Attendance at the Introduction to Ophthalmic Surgery course at the Royal College of Ophthalmologists was a highly formative experience. Although the course contributes one point to the ST1 portfolio, its real value lies in the early exposure it provides to microsurgical skills and the expectations of ophthalmic training. The enthusiasm and clarity of the teaching team, who shared practical insights into both technique and training pathways, were a particular highlight.
Most of what we learn as resident doctors comes from clinics, ward rounds, and the occasional on call referral. Ophthalmology often feels like a distant world unless you actively chase opportunities. Conferences were my way of stepping into that world. I didn’t realise how much they would shape my early interest in the specialty until I attended my first few.
Entry into ST1 Ophthalmology is highly competitive, demanding that applicants demonstrate not only high clinical competence but also significant engagement with the non-clinical pillars of medicine. The Education and Teaching domain is critical in the national application portfolio, offering up to 5 cumulative portfolio points based on a tiered scoring system. Given that small point differences often decide successful candidacy, strategically maximising this section is paramount. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the ST1 scoring matrix requirements and offers high-yield, actionable strategies derived from experience to systematically achieve the maximum available points through securing formal teaching qualifications, delivering sustained teaching programs, and engaging with structured educational initiatives.
A hordeolum (or also stye) is an acute, localized bacterial infection of the sebaceous glands of the eyelid, either of the glands of Zeis (external hordeolum) or the meibomian glands (internal hordeolum). The condition presents as a painful, localized purulent infection of the sebaceous glands of the eyelid of either gland of Zeis (external hordeolum) or the meibomian glands (internal hordeolum). Conversely, an infected chalazion is a chronic, non-infectious, lipogranulomatous inflammatory lesion caused by ductal blockage of the meibomian gland, which changes an otherwise painless, firm lesion into an acute, painful lesion, which is tender, warm, and swollen, and which clinically simulates an internal hordeolum.
Filamentary keratitis is a condition characterised by the presence of filaments on the corneal surface. First described in 1882 by Leber, these filaments comprise of mucus, epithelium and cellular debris. Although relatively uncommon, filamentary keratitis has strong associations with several ocular surface diseases and systemic conditions, making it a condition frequently encountered in clinical practice. Corneal filaments can cause significant morbidity, with the chronicity of the condition and debilitating symptoms significantly impacting quality of life. This review provides an overview of the pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnosis and management of filamentary keratitis.
Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy has transformed the management of several retinal conditions that once led to significant and irreversible vision loss. Prior to its introduction, diseases such as neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) frequently resulted in rapid, irreversible central vision decline. The advent of intravitreal anti-VEGF injections now allows most patients to maintain vision, and many experience meaningful improvement. This article aims to provide a foundational understanding of the therapeutic mechanism, primary clinical indications, current treatment paradigms, and the future trajectory of anti-VEGF agents, highlighting developments focused on maximizing efficacy and reducing patient burden.
The annual Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) Congress is the flagship ophthalmology meeting for Australia and New Zealand. An energetic mix of clinical updates, global health discussions and rapidly evolving technologies. I attended day two of this year’s meeting in Melbourne, which offered a fascinating opportunity to compare approaches across two healthcare systems as a UK-trained doctor currently working in Australia. For UK trainees spending time abroad, RANZCO delivers value: fresh perspectives, high-quality teaching and insight into subspecialty priorities across the region.