Read the latest RCOphth news updates and guidance here.
Since the last national ophthalmology trainee survey was conducted in 2014, the UK government introduced a new junior doctor contract (JDC) whilst demand for ophthalmology services has risen to unprecedented levels. To assess the impact of these and other factors on Ophthalmic Specialist Training (OST), a follow-up 25-question online survey was conducted.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, The Royal College of Ophthalmologists recognises the need to support a return to normal training and limit any further disruption.
The National Insitute of Health Research (NIHR) has set out a framework to guide the restarting of NIHR research activities which have been paused due to COVID-19.
The Royal College of Ophthalmologists is unable to report on the association of vision impairment, as a result of a patient contracting COVID-19, due to a lack of evidence.
The Royal College of Ophthalmologists will be moving to a new method of online proctored exam delivery for its FRCOphth Part 1 and Part 2 Written examinations.
Ophthalmologists make use of micro-surgical techniques in a variety of operations on the eye. The use of EyeSi simulators to practice these techniques allows trainees to refresh and improve their surgical skills.
As the current situation with COVID-19 changes we are closely monitoring the impact on the RCOphth, its staff and members. Staff are working from home and will continue to provide services to our membership and the wider eye health community.
Emergency eye care services have seen large increases in demand over the last 10 years, with over 500,000 cases recorded in England in 2018-2019. Many common (urgent and minor) acute eye conditions, are not sight or life threatening and can be managed safely outside of the emergency care setting.
The COVID-19 response is likely to move beyond full lockdown soon, and many hospitals are examining how they can restart some services safely.
The UK has been experiencing a shortage of mitomycin 2mg, 10mg, 20mg vials for intravenous administration and 40mg for intravesical administration since late October 2019. Since the recall of Kyowa Kirin product in early November 2019 all Trusts have had to rely on unlicensed imports. Kyowa Kirin have withdrawn their marketing authorisation for Mitomycin-C and have no immediate plans to return to market with this product range.
