What to expect when meeting a statistician
There are a growing number of statisticians working closely with ophthalmologists. They have different training but they are driven by the same goal: to perform high quality evidence based clinical research [1,2]. In a perfect world we would simply conduct...
NICE drugs: an update on what’s good to go
Treatment options recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) must be readily available for use in the NHS of England and Wales. This article provides an overview of recent guidance from NICE and summary advice issued...
Adaptive optics imaging: resolving single cells in the living eye
The human retina is unique in the central nervous system (CNS) in that it can be directly visualised non-invasively. Technological advances of several imaging modalities, including optical coherence tomography (OCT), multichannel scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) and fundus photography, have afforded...
Innovations in ophthalmology: what can the innovations of the past teach us about tomorrow?
BUOS Prize Essay – 2nd prize winner for 2013 submissions Introduction An essay titled Innovations in Ophthalmology might choose to focus on the history; from cataract couching to femtosecond lasers, ophthalmology has had no shortage of topics worthy of discussion....
The Eye Health Network – an ‘optometry-first’ approach to eye care
Historically, in NHS Grampian, ophthalmology and optometry worked separately, with even the process of optometry referral to hospital occurring only at the behest of the patient’s general practitioner (GP). Criteria for referral were not discussed and feedback after referral was...
Burning vision: vision loss from misuse of ‘toy’ laser pens in children
A case series of five children with macular burns due to the misuse of novelty laser products, purchased online or abroad, was undertaken at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital and The Children’s Hospital, Sheffield [1]. All patients were from the Sheffield...
Guide to Gaining Approval for a Clinical Study
This article focuses on gaining approval for clinical research involving NHS patients, although the principles can be applied to other types of research. The intention is to give an overview of the requirements for setting up a research study, but...
The importance of ‘hands-on’ learning
Providing ongoing professional education and development for the allied professions out of the clinic or hospital setting is often quite challenging. The reorganisation of rotas, heavy clinic lists and financial constraints all add up to making the opportunity to learn...