How to Make the Most of a Medical School Ophthalmology Placement
- Devarsh Joshi
- Jun 23
- 4 min read
Ophthalmology is a specialised medical field that continues to grow in popularity among medical students, but exposure to it during medical school is often limited. Many placements last only a few days, sometimes one week, and can lack structured teaching or opportunities to get properly involved.
Because of that, it is easy to spend the placement just observing without taking much away from it. But even with limited time, there are ways to make it a valuable experience.
Based on what I learnt during my ophthalmology placement, this article aims to share some practical suggestions on making the most of your time. Whether you plan to apply for specialty training or want to get the most out of the experience, these recommendations can help create an enjoyable placement.
1. Establish early contact and set clear goals
Making the most of an ophthalmology placement often starts with being proactive. Try to arrange a conversation with your supervising consultant early on, as this helps clarify expectations and gives you a better understanding of what you can get involved with.
One way to approach this is to think of two to three specific skills you would like to develop, such as using a direct ophthalmoscope, performing a slit-lamp examination, or improving your visual acuity assessments.
When you share these goals with the team, they are more likely to guide you towards relevant clinics and learning opportunities. It also shows that you are engaged and willing to make the most of your time, often leading to a more meaningful and hands-on experience.
2. Prepare before you begin
Ophthalmology can feel unfamiliar at first, and going in without background knowledge can be difficult. Taking time to prepare by reviewing key topics before your placement can significantly boost your confidence and help you get more from each session.
For instance, if you’re attending a glaucoma clinic, understanding how intraocular pressure is measured, what visual field tests assess, and how optic nerve changes are evaluated will give you a solid foundation.
This background knowledge allows you to then follow consultations more easily, engage in meaningful discussions with ophthalmologists, and even participate in interpreting clinical findings.
3. Consolidate your learning each day
To make the most of what you see in clinic or theatre, it’s worth setting aside time at the end of the day to go over what you learned. Reviewing cases and looking up unfamiliar conditions helps solidify your understanding and identifies areas that still feel unclear. Note these down and bring them up with the team the next day, as doctors are usually happy to explain things, especially when you're engaging with real cases.
Also, one useful strategy is to gradually work through the core ophthalmology conditions that you're expected to know for exams, using your placement to supplement that revision. Clinicians can offer helpful tips or ways to remember specific signs, investigations, or red flags that aren’t always obvious from textbooks.
4. Explore the specialty fully
Ophthalmology contains numerous subspecialties, and gaining exposure to as many of these as possible will not only broaden your clinical knowledge but also help identify areas of particular interest for the future. Therefore, given the typically short duration of placements, it is helpful to plan your schedule early to ensure you experience a variety of these areas, both in clinics and operating theatres.
This broad exposure can help you appreciate how ophthalmology combines both medical interventions as well as surgical management. It also highlights how the eyes can reflect other systems of the body. Therefore, taking time to understand how diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and autoimmune disorders affect the eyes will provide a greater appreciation of holistic care and highlight the importance of interdisciplinary teamwork.
5. Engage and network with the team
Ophthalmology departments consist of a wide team, including consultants, registrars, nurses, technicians and sometimes even optometrists and orthoptists. Engaging with the entire team will create opportunities for learning beyond clinical observation.
Ask questions about their roles, typical workdays and the rewards and challenges of working in ophthalmology. This will help create a more realistic picture of the specialty, which can help guide career decisions.
6. Maintain connections and seek opportunities
Maintaining contact with your supervisor and department can provide opportunities even after the placement is over. Many teams welcome medical students to contribute to audits, case reports, or quality improvement projects, allowing you to build your portfolio. Staying involved also keeps you actively learning and provides experience that is an important aspect of specialty training.
7. Consider an ophthalmology elective
If you find ophthalmology enjoyable during your placement, arranging an elective offers a valuable opportunity for more extensive learning.
Electives typically last several weeks and allow for hands-on experience, closer involvement with the team, and time to explore particular subspecialties in depth. Early planning is essential, so reach out to ophthalmology departments months in advance, inquire about potential supervisors, and explore funding or scholarship options to support your elective through your university.
Conclusion
While ophthalmology placements can be brief, they are packed with opportunities for learning and growth. Proactively setting goals, preparing in advance, and exploring a wide range of clinical settings are key steps to making the experience worthwhile.
Maintaining contact after the placement and seeking further exposure, through electives and additional learning activities, can strengthen your knowledge and career prospects.
Above all, approach the placement with curiosity and enthusiasm. Ophthalmology is a rewarding area of medicine that is worth exploring in full. Make the most of your placement to understand what the specialty involves and whether it could be the right fit for you in the future!
For more information on finding which ophthalmology subspecialty is right for you, read this related article:
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