My name is Ioana Ruxandra Rusu, an Ophthalmology resident from Romania. I am very happy to share with you my experience at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. My observation period was for eight weeks in 2009.
During the time spent at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital I attended the Oculoplastics Unit, Cornea and Glaucoma Unit, Vitreo-retinal Unit, Pediatrics Unit, Squint Unit and Medical Retina Unit.
At the Oculoplastics Unit, together with Mr. Ahmed Sadiq, I examined patients with different disorders of the eyelids, orbit and tear drainage system. I also attended the monthly multi-disciplinary Facial Palsy meetings which were held together with a plastic surgeons, ENT specialists and electrophysiotherapists. In theatre I saw different eyelid surgical procedures, dacryocystorhinostomy, cataract surgery and one corneal neurotization, a novel solution to neurotrophic keratopathy.
At the Cornea and Glaucoma Unit, with the help of Mr. Leon Au, I examined patients. He gladly answeredall my questions and taught me many things.At this clinic I saw a lot of cases of keratoconus, different types of glaucoma, pterygium and corneal dystrophies. I also improved my knowledge about anterior segment OCT. In the theatre I saw corneal grafts: PK, DSEK and DLK. For glaucoma surgery I had the opportunity to assist to operations like the trabeculectomy with Mitomicin C, Baerveldt tubes, goniosynechialyses and also pterygium surgery with conjunctival auto graft and Mitomicin C.
Mr. S. Mahmood was in charge for Manchester Avastin Trial for Age Related Macular Degeneration. Even if he had a lot of patients to examine he took the time to explain to me every FFA and answered all my questions. At this unit I improved my knowledge on medical retina.
Together with Mr. S. Biswas I examined children with squints, retinopathy of prematurity, congenital cataract, congenital glaucoma. I also saw how the surgery for congenital cataract, congenital glaucoma, corneal grafts and squints was performed there.
Mr. P. Stanga from Vitreo-retinal Unit performed an experimental technique: the Bionic Eye Surgery for Retinitis Pigmentosa. At this unit I also saw surgery related to retinal detachments, macular holes, vitrectomy with insertion of gas, silicone oil performed by Mr. N. Patton and his team.
Mr. R. Wishwanath from the Neuro-Opthalmology and Squint Clinic explained a lot to me about cases of adult squints, diplopia and ocular ultrasonography.
I also attended the weekly teaching meetings held at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital.
Besides the medical knowledge achieved I also saw how the Outpatients Clinics were organised. I will try to take back home some management improvement ideas as well.
In the end, I would like to express my sincere words of gratitude to the whole staff of Manchester Royal Eye Hospital.
Yours Sincerely,
Dr. Ioana Ruxandra Rusu – Romania
E-mail: dr.ioanarusu@yahoo.com
