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Neuro-ophthalmology: the extended role of an orthoptist

Neuro-ophthalmology has always been a speciality of interest during my studies and now in my career. In 2018, I started a Band 7 post which gave me an extended role in neuro-ophthalmology and the responsibility of developing an orthoptic led...

In conversation with Robert MacLaren

Professor Robert MacLaren gave the Keeler Lecture at the Royal College of Ophthalmologists Annual Meeting in May 2019 on gene therapy for retinitis pigmentosa. We caught up with him afterwards to find out more. What are the key messages of...

IN FOCUS - Beyond 2020: what next for global eye health?

The year 2020 is a pivotal year for global eye health. It marks the conclusion of ‘VISION 2020: The Right to Sight’ which has guided action for the past two decades, and the end of the World Health Organization (WHO)...

Randomisation, confounding & observational methods in ophthalmic epidemiology

Randomisation and confounding Understanding the relationship between an exposure and an outcome of interest is the central challenge in ophthalmic epidemiology. The exposure may be aetiological, taking the form of a putative risk biological factor, or therapeutic, in the form...

A short survey of the views of clinicians on the role of procedure-specific consent forms

Informed consent is an ethical and legal right of every patient [1]. It is essential that patients receive clear, concise and accurate information regarding the risks, benefits and alternatives to a potential intervention. In addition to this, the patient must...

Could the sclera be key to glaucoma?

The glaucomas are a group of conditions characterised by optic neuropathy and associated visual field defects. Of these, chronic open-angle glaucoma (COAG) – diagnosed on the basis of progressive structural changes to the optic nerve head (ONH) and nerve fibre...

Embedding EMR for a complete transformation in user experience

Informatics and IT projects in the NHS have a history of being over budget, delivered late and not fulfilling the design brief. “But it doesn’t have to be that way,” believes Chris Canning, Consultant Ophthalmologist and Chief Clinical Information Officer...

Can thou lyse this? A national study of emergency canthotomy and cantholysis

Eighty-two-year old Janet Smith woke up on the floor. Had she been unconscious? Her head hurt. It was the middle of the night, but in the darkness she suddenly wasn’t sure whether she could see out of her right eye....

Genetic profiling for personalised healthcare solutions in AMD – an update

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a multifactorial condition influenced by genetics and lifestyle factors (Table 1). This article outlines several recent advances in AMD genetics, as well as evolving therapeutic concepts and established practical measures for the treatment and /...

Is optician led service an answer to ever increasing demand on eye emergency clinics?

The demand for eye casualty appointments has been steadily increasing in the UK, leading to pressures on the hospital emergency services. The incidence of presentations to eye casualty services has been estimated at 20-30 per 1000 per year [1]. Evidence...

Use of a smartphone repair microscope for microsurgical suturing simulation

Suturing ocular tissues under microscopic guidance is a skill that has declined in frequency, with the majority of cataract operations being sutureless. With the recent COVID-19 outbreak, training opportunities in theatre have declined further, given elective surgery cancellations. Subsequently, trainees...