Medical Ophthalmology

It is proposed to appoint SpRs in ophthalmology. Discussions have commenced with the Irish Medical Organisation and curriculum to be drafted and agreed to include Accident and Emergency, medical retina, paediatric ophthalmology, cornea, uveitis, neuro-ophthalmology and glaucoma.

Entry Requirements

Trainees will have completed the three year Basic Specialist Training programme, detailed above and will have obtained the AFRCSI or its equivalent

Length of Training

Training will be for a further 12 months following completion of Basic Specialist Training.

Curriculum

The curriculum will cover:

• Removal of corneal foreign bodies
• Insertion and removal of corneal sutures
• Corneal scrapings
• Entropion repair
• Ectropion repair
• Botulinum injections for blepharospasm or to induce ptosis
• Epilation
• Electrolysis of lashes
• Injuries to eyelids
• Excision of eye lid cysts, papillomas and chalazions
• Tarsorrhaphy
• Biopsy of lid lesions
• Lacrimal syringing and probing
• Punctal closure
• Syringing of lacrimal sac
• Argon laser for treatment of retinal disease
• YAG capsulotomy and iridotomies
• Examination under General Anaesthetic
• Fluorescein angiography
• Electrodiagnostics
• Biometry and Ultrasound

Modules

• Paediatric Ophthalmology
• Strabismus
• Medical Retina
• Community ophthalmology
• Glaucoma
• Diabetic Retinopathy
• Refraction
• Contact Lenses
• Dispensing of glasses
• Epidemiology Screening
• Statistics

Units

This approval will depend on the correct training posts being approved in each unit.

• Cork University Hospital
• Galway University Hospital
• Limerick Regional Hospital
• Mater, Temple Street and Beaumont Hospitals
• RVEEH and St. Vincent’s Hospital
• Waterford Regional Hospital

Trainers

(info to be supplied)

Exit

Ophthalmologists who have completed their training may chose to pursue a career in Community Ophthalmology, private practice or in an academic department.

On successful completion of their training and examination, trainees will be eligible to apply for a Certificate of Specialist doctor and entry on the Specialist Register under the heading Ophthalmology.

SpR in Medical Ophthalmology

The advantages of this grade

Each unit can decide to convert a registrar post to a Medical SpR position. This will help Departments to structure Community Ophthalmologist posts as required by individual departments.

From Trainees point of view, trainees who do an SpR year are entitled under Department of Health guidelines to have one day a week release for training purposes.

Introduction of a SpR grade will encourage trainees to chose a career in Medical Ophthalmology

Combination of this year and entry requirement of Primary Fellowship will establish a five year training programme for Medical Ophthalmology which will given them parity with Public Health grades.