Ophthalmology serves patients from a wide range of cultural and religious backgrounds. For Muslim patients, the month of Ramadan often raises specific questions about fasting, medication use, and scheduling of procedures. This article explores practical considerations around ophthalmic medications during fasting, the effects of Ramadan on ocular health, and culturally competent communication. It concludes with a reflection on the experiences of Muslim junior doctors balancing faith and training

For many medical students and foundation doctors, a taster week is the first meaningful exposure to ophthalmology. Clinics and eye casualty provide concentrated encounters with common presentations and genuine emergencies. The following ten cases are highly likely to appear, and each offers specific opportunities to build knowledge, practise core skills, and reflect on the broader role of ophthalmology in patient care.

Most students and junior doctors are familiar with the standard medical clerking structure: history, past medical history, examination, investigations, and plan. However, when entering an ophthalmology clinic or casualty, documentation quickly becomes more specialised. Notes are concise, anatomy-driven, laterality-specific, and often incorporate diagrams. Understanding this distinctive style is essential for patient safety and for making the most of an ophthalmology placement.

Fungal keratitis is a challenging ocular infection, particularly in patients with predisposing factors such as diabetes mellitus and prior ocular surgery. We present the case of an elderly man with a history of penetrating keratoplasty and insulin dependent diabetes who developed Candida keratitis in his right eye. Initial treatment with topical natamycin was started following positive fungal scrapings, but due to supply shortages, therapy was transitioned to topical amphotericin B combined with chlorhexidine. Despite the recognised limitations of amphotericin B, including poor corneal penetration and potential toxicity, the patient’s infection resolved successfully with this regimen. This case highlights both the efficacy of natamycin as first-line therapy and the potential of amphotericin B as a valuable second-line option when standard treatment is unavailable. It underscores the importance of early diagnosis, aggressive antifungal therapy, and flexibility in adapting management strategies to resource limitations. Further studies are warranted to optimise antifungal treatment protocols and improve outcomes in fungal keratitis.

Glaucoma is a chronic eye condition in which impaired drainage of aqueous humour leads to elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) and progressive optic nerve damage. Traditionally, it has been managed with medications, laser therapy, or invasive surgeries such as trabeculectomy and aqueous shunt implantation. Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) encompasses a range of less invasive procedures that target the trabecular meshwork, suprachoroidal space or Schlemm’s canal, designed to bridge the gap between medications, laser therapy, and conventional surgery. While MIGS is relatively new, having been in clinical use for just over a decade, it has rapidly evolved and gained acceptance among glaucoma specialists. Importantly, MIGS is often performed alongside cataract surgery, which can enhance the pressure-lowering effect of cataract extraction itself.

Idiopathic, full-thickness macular holes (iFTMH) are foveal defects involving all neuroretinal layers, accounting for 85% of macular holes. They arise from age-related vitreous changes causing vitreomacular traction and subsequent hole formation, with peak incidence between the ages 60 to 70, and a 2-3 times greater incidence in women. Symptoms include blurred vision, decreased visual acuity, metamorphopsia or central scotoma. Prompt identification is crucial to ensure appropriate management, as although a minority of cases resolve spontaneously, timely surgical intervention remains the mainstay of treatment to restore anatomy and optimise visual function (4). Advances in vitreoretinal surgery, including pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling and emerging techniques such as inverted ILM flaps having improved closure rates, even for chronic or large holes. This review provides a concise overview of the  diagnosis, classification and management of iFTMHs.

Susac syndrome, characterised by branch retinal artery occlusion, encephalopathy and sensorineural hearing loss, is a rare autoimmune condition which was first described by John Susac in 1979. This article aims to provide an insight into the pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnosis and management of Susac syndrome.

Brown syndrome, which is also referred to as superior oblique tendon sheath syndrome, describes a rare presentation of vertical strabismus in which there is restricted ability to elevate the affected eye when it is adducted. This article aims to highlight the pathophysiology, clinical features, associations, diagnosis and management of this visual phenomenon which was initially reported in 1949 by Dr Harold Whaley Brown.

Doing an ophthalmology rotation can teach you to diagnose and manage common eye conditions, perform key examinations, and observe surgical procedures such as cataract removal. It will also provide you with the opportunity to gain insight into the clinical work environment, exploring its benefits and challenges.