Ana Picioroaga, Grant Report

The five weeks I spent as an observer in the Oculoplasty Department at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital were both educational and inspiring. From the beginning, the centre communicated clearly with me and I was warmly welcomed into the team. My supervisor paid close attention to my learning experience, ensuring that I was integrated into clinics, operating rooms, and team discussions.

The working conditions were excellent, with a well-structured schedule that allowed me to observe a wide variety of cases, including thyroid eye disease, ptosis, orbital tumors, and reconstructive procedures. Staff at all levels were approachable, cooperative, and generous with their knowledge, creating an ideal learning environment.

Observing complex surgeries such as orbital decompression, tumor excision, and ptosis repair sharpened my comprehension of the precision, skill, and decision-making that define oculoplastic surgery. The experience was extremely valuable to my training, providing me with new ideas for improving our practices at home and reinforcing my determination to continue in this subspecialty.