Our role in Education - University of Birmingham

Ophthalmology at the University of Birmingham (partially hosted at the Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre - BMEC), is one of the largest ophthalmic teaching centres in Europe.

Aerial view of the Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre in Birmingham, UK.

It offers a wide range of training opportunities for doctors and allied healthcare professionals and its education activities are lead by Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology Mr Robert Barry. Its unwavering commitment to continuous learning, the incorporation of innovative practices, and prioritising the best patient care distinguishes it as a lighthouse in the realm of ophthalmology.

Regional Ophthalmology Training Programme

The West Midlands has one of the largest training programmes in Ophthalmology. The training programme has posts in hospitals at Birmingham, Burton, Coventry, Dudley, Hereford, Sandwell, Shrewsbury, Stoke-on-Trent, Worcester and Wolverhampton. Trainees spend a considerable amount of time within their seven-year training programme at BMEC, most importantly supporting the out-of-hours eye emergency service during their rotations in Birmingham.

Rear view of a man and woman looking at eye scans on a computer screen.

Simulation and Skills Training

BMEC's contribution to medical education, with a particular focus on ‘simulation training’, has been remarkable. Situated on the first floor of the BMEC building, the state-of-the-art Simulation Lab stands as a testament to this commitment. This well-appointed facility boasts cutting-edge technology, a comprehensive array of surgical instruments, and three high-resolution microscopes interfaced with screens for instructional purposes.

Rear view of a man looking into a microscope.

Notably, it houses an EyeSi simulator, which encompasses training modules for cataract and vitreoretinal surgery. In a significant milestone in 2016, BMEC introduced an exclusive Ophthalmology Laser course, pioneering training in a wide spectrum of lasers commonly performed by ophthalmologists, including YAG, Argon, Cyclodiode, and Cryotherapy. The resounding success of the Laser course spurred the development and delivery of the Birmingham Intraocular course and the Birmingham Eye Emergency Essentials course.

Close-up of a person's hands using a thread and medical implements on a simulated eye ball.

Close-up side view of a woman looking into a microscope with a male in the background also using a microscope.

Awards and Recognition

The West Midlands School of Ophthalmology maintains its unwavering commitment to fostering excellence in training. This is exemplified through prestigious annual accolades such as the Robinson Outstanding Ophthalmology Trainee Award and the Phillip I. Murray Outstanding Ophthalmology Trainer Award.

The names of these outstanding individuals, along with recipients of the esteemed Roper-Hall Eye Foundation Prize Medal, awarded yearly to an Ophthalmology trainee who gives the best clinical case presentation, are displayed at BMEC.

Ophthalmic Practitioner Training (OPT) Programme

In addition, Ophthalmology at the University of Birmingham in collaboration with BMEC has its own Ophthalmic Practitioner Trainees (OPT) Programme, which trains postgraduate orthoptists, optometrists, ophthalmic nurses, and other eye care practitioners in secondary care to develop their skills in eye care. The programme covers four clinical areas: Cataract, Glaucoma, Medical retina and Acute and Emergency eye care. Advanced nurse practitioners trained at BMEC now play a pivotal role in supporting a range of services, including laser treatment, intravitreal injections, minor operations and other sub-specialty services.

Rear view of a student nurse wearing white uniform, blue gloves and a face mask doing medical training.

Academic Training and Research

Ophthalmology at the University of Birmingham together with the Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre (BMEC) have a long history of academic excellence being a world leader in education, training and research in eye diseases. Ophthalmology at the University of Birmingham has a high success rate in the training of future clinical academics through the NIHR Integrated Academic Training scheme, with the appointment of Academic Clinical Fellows and Clinical Lecturers. Also, it has supervised numerous clinical and non-clinical PhD students.

Side view of the current Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre Building.

Undergraduate Training in Ophthalmology

Ophthalmology at the University of Birmingham is influencing many medical students (MBChB) and improving medical student training in the clinical environment by developing innovative ways of teaching, including large group lectures and small group tutorials, clinical skills, and online educational materials. There is involvement in numerous Special Study Modules and overseas elective projects, and these have frequently led to poster presentations at national and international conferences and peer-reviewed publications. Over the years, the enthusiastic undergraduate teaching has stimulated many medical students to choose ophthalmology as their career, and some present BMEC consultants are University of Birmingham alumni.

Undergraduate medical students can also undertake the MSc Clinical Sciences Intercalated degree programme, through which they can undertake a taught MSc module in ophthalmology. They can also undertake an ophthalmology-themed research dissertation in order to graduate with a degree of MSc Clinical Sciences (Ophthalmology). The taught programme is delivered through BMEC, and the research dissertation is supervised by various clinical academics working in ophthalmology. The intercalation programme is open to both internal (University of Birmingham) and external students.

Rear view of students in a lecture theatre.