News & Views

A statement from the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC) has recommended patients ‘not to hold back’ from seeking medical treatment for other conditions during the Covid19 epidemic. The statement also recommends the public must be fully confident that they can and should, seek medical assistance if they have symptoms which cause concern, or they already are being treated for a serious health condition.

The COVID-19 pandemic has seriously affected the provision of eye care in primary and secondary care. Measures currently in place to protect people from acquiring the infection will undoubtedly lead to vision loss that, in normal circumstances, would have been preventable.

During these unprecedented times, The Royal College of Ophthalmologists will continue to deliver and manage its services to members where feasible. This includes the NOD Audit, which will continue to be managed by the NOD team and in liaison with trusts and surgeons.

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists and the Macular Society have issued the following important information for patients having treatment for Wet AMD or other conditions needing intravitreal injections during the Coronavirus pandemic.

In this episode we hear from Shokufeh Tavassoli who talked to us about her paper related to trends in microbial keratitis. We then spoke with Jonathan Baker, Quality Improvement Manager at The Royal College of Ophthalmologists who talked to us about the RCOphth's review service.

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists would like to thank the patient who was willing to participate in important investigations, such as this report carried out by the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) despite the devastating impact on her quality of life as a result of her sight loss.

We spoke with Mr. John Ferris about his paper, 'The impact of EyeSi virtual reality training on complications rates of cataract surgery performed by first and second year trainees'. We then spoke with Miss. Preeti Sanghera, an Optometrist working at Moorfields Eye Hospital. She summarised which patients are eligible for free sight tests.

The Royal College pressed for much needed funding for ophthalmic services during a visit to the college by Health Minister Nadine Dorries to mark World Patient Safety Day.

Allergan has contacted the RCOphth to provide a follow up regarding the hold on XEN 45. Allergan has reached out to regulatory agencies, and is working to initiate a voluntary recall of affected lots of XEN 45.

In this episode, we speak with Mr. Aman Chandra a consultant Ophthalmologist from Southend who tells us about the use and safety of oil and liquid devices in vitreoretinal surgery. We also talk with Mr. Mike Burdon, the president of the college who gives us an update regarding the newly published strategic plan from the college.