OPHTHALMOLOGY

The ophthalmology departments at Ipswich and Colchester Hospital offer a comprehensive service for a wide range of ophthalmic conditions including glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. Ophthalmic surgery is performed at both sites.

Colchester Hospital

There are 4 higher speciality trainees at Colchester Hospital. It is a wellsupported environment with consultants readily available to offer guidance many of whom trained in the East of England. There are also several fellows and Medical Training Initiative doctors.

Ipswich Hospital

There are 4 higher specialty trainees at Ipswich Hospital. Trainees are supported by 8 consultants and 2 associated specialist doctors. The team comprises of a large MDT including optometrists, orthoptists and nurses.

Ophthalmology is predominantly an outpatient specialty with most of the patients being seen in the main eye clinic. It is a large and busy department with clinics running most mornings and afternoons. Subspecialities include glaucoma, cornea, vitroretinal, medical retina, oculoplastics and paediatrics/oculomotility.

There are 2 ophthalmic theatres at the Ophthalmic Day Care Unit. This where most operations are performed including cataract surgery. The Clive Edelsten Retinal Suite is where macula clinics are held and where intravitreal injections are performed in a purposebuilt treatment room.

Most clinics and surgeries occur at the Primary Care Centre attached to Colchester Hospital. A small number of clinics also take place at Clacton Hospital a short 30-minute drive. Trainees are expected to undertake clinics with the supervision and support of consultants. Each room has dimmable lights, a full complement of lenses, a modern LED slit lamp and dual monitor computers. Imaging techniques readily available include Optos, OCT, visual fields and B-Scan.

There are 2 theatres at the Primary Care Centre which is where all local anaesthetic cases are performed. General anaesthetic cases take place at the Elmstead Day Unit at Colchester Hospital. Femto laser machines are frequently used and there are plenty of training opportunities to become proficient in using them.

As part of ophthalmology training in the East of England (EoE), new ST1 trainees benefit from a week-long induction course held at Norwich which is a great way to learn core clinical skills and knowledge. It helps prepare trainees before they start working and running clinics. It is also a great way to meet and socialise with other EoE trainees.

The ophthalmology departments take pride in offering high quality teaching. There is weekly departmental teaching in which trainees take turns in presenting a topic of interest and discuss complex cases.