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Should it be a mandatory requirement for medical students to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to attend clinical attachments?

The vast majority of medical students have positive attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccine for themselves and patients, however, what about the small inevitable minority who resist it? Should they be prevented from attending clinical attachments in the NHS? It is...

Will COVID-19 impact the selection of ophthalmology as a career choice by medical students?

The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound effects on medical education and has called for large shifts in the medical curriculum. Clinical attachments were suspended at the height of the pandemic and examinations were cancelled or were moved to an online...

‘Getting a head start’: ways medical students can boost their chances of entering ophthalmology training

Ophthalmology is one of the most competitive medical specialities in the UK, with 3.74 applicants per place in 2018 [1]. Given the competitive nature of this highly specialised field, medical students who are interested in pursuing a career in ophthalmology...

A rare neonatal presentation of bilateral dacryocele and choanal atresia

Following a routine pregnancy, a newly delivered baby boy, born at term, was found to have increased work of breathing, stridor and a left medial canthal swelling. The baby required 100% oxygen via a face mask to maintain oxygen saturations....

Bosch-Boonstro-Schaaff optic atrophy syndrome (BBSOAS) NR2F1 mutation

An experienced ophthalmologist can make an anatomical diagnosis of childhood visual impairment based upon the surgical sieve, i.e., congenital and acquired. But an ophthalmologist cannot work in isolation to make an aetiological diagnosis – one would require the help of...

A case of retinal cavernous haemangioma – don’t let it slip through the grapevine

We present a case of a seven-year-old male who presented to the emergency eye referral clinic with red eye. He was diagnosed and treated for allergic conjunctivitis, however, on clinic review, wide field retinal imaging was performed (as has been...

The madarosis mystery: unravelling the clues to a host of health issues

Eyelash madarosis is a medical condition characterised by the loss of eyelashes caused by the destruction of hair follicles. It can range from a few missing lashes to a complete absence of lashes on the eyelids. This condition can be...

Acute dacryoadenitis secondary to COVID-19

Acute dacryoadenitis is defined as the rapid onset of discomfort and swelling of the lacrimal gland, classically giving rise to an S-shaped ptosis [1]. Dacryoadenitis is the most common cause of a painful mass in the lacrimal gland in young...

Retinal sequelae of high voltage electric current injury

Introduction High-voltage electrical currents may result in significant ocular complications, ranging from mild cataracts to vision-threatening retinal and optic nerve problems [1]. The severity of damage depends on various factors, including intensity and type of current, duration of exposure, entry...

Periorbital and subconjunctival emphysema - a sign of orbital rim fracture

Background Orbital emphysema is a condition where air is present in orbit or periorbital tissues [1]. It is most commonly caused by trauma leading to orbit fracture, where air from paranasal sinuses is allowed to enter the orbit. The most...

Triamcinolone (TA) deposits following subcutaneous injection to treat chalazion

Chalazia are chronic lipogranulomatous inflammations of the eyelid secondary to a blocked meibomian gland. Whilst most resolve spontaneously, certain chalazia warrant treatment. Options include incision and curettage (I&C), lesion excision, intralesional steroid injections, and botox injections [1]. I&C is usually...