Tips for GP trainees working in ophthalmology

Medical school does little to prepare future GPs for the relatively large number of patients with ophthalmic complaints they will see in everyday practice, so spending a 4-month attachment in ophthalmology is a good way to fill in any gaps in your knowledge. The beauty of ophthalmology is that it bridges medicine and (micro)surgery, so that even if you know very little about ophthalmology initially, you will be able to integrate a lot of your general medical knowledge when handling ophthalmic presentations (such as, diabetic retinopathy, thyroid eye disease, and retinal vein occlusions).