Cytokines: Made Simple for the Ophthalmologists
In the time of the global pandemic known as COVID- 19, everyone has heard the phrase ‘cytokine storm’ and how it can be a deadly consequence of the SARS- CoV2 virus infection. What are these cytokines though? What do they normally do in our bodies and why are they sometimes so deadly? Little multifunctional molecules The presence of pus-filled exudates, fever, localized swelling, and pain have bee...Read More
A to Z Eponyms in ophthalmology
Often asked in vivas, ophthalmic eponyms or various signs/ instruments in ophthalmology which share the same name, are one of the favorite questions of many examiners. We have tried to compile common such terminologies in ophthalmology for the benefit of postgraduate students. A Amsler (Marc Amsler : Swiss ophthalmologist, 1891-1968) Amsler Grid- The Amsler Grid is a square-shaped grid used to det...Read More
How to Edit Your Surgical Videos
Introduction Video recording in ophthalmology dates back to 1951 when Sir Harold Ridley filmed his pioneering lens implantation procedure in color. Ophthalmic surgical videos are a great source of demonstrating one’s technique on various platforms as well as discussing any unusual case tackled successfully in the operation theatre. It acts as an educational resource providing tips and tricks to po...Read More
Basics of Grant Writing: From An Early Career Researchers Perspective
“Writing a grant is considered to be more strenuous than doing research itself.”(1) With the number of grant applications on a rise and a steady decline in the funding, the nuances of grant writing become pertinent for a successful grant application. (2) In this article, we discuss the reasons for applying for a grant, how and when to apply, the common hurdles, and tips for a successful grant prop...Read More
Ten Clinical Trials in Retinal Diseases Every Postgraduate Should Know
1. CATT (Comparison of Age-related Macular Degeneration Treatments Trials)1 Description A prospective, multicenter, single-blind, noninferiority randomized clinical trial. 1208 patients with neovascular AMD were enrolled from February 2008 and randomly assigned to receive intravitreal injections of ranibizumab (0.5 mg/0.05 ml) or bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 ml) on either a monthly schedule or as nee...Read More
Word Root : Origin of Ophthalmic Terms
The study of the origin of word is known as etymology. Most of the ophthalmic terminology is derived from Greek and Latin words. Most probably Hippocrates (460-370 BC) was the first to use specific ophthalmic terms that we are still using nowadays. He has been credited for using the terms like amblyopia, hippus, nystagmus & phthisis. Similarly, terms like canthus, exophthalmos, glaucoma, and leuko...Read More
Retinal imaging has come a long way today. From times of appropriately concentrating the fluorescein dye from scratch in the lab itself to times where we have a dye-free angiography system, technology has covered vast boundaries. There is a platter of different modalities in the market today, each having their own ebb and flow. And what the future beholds for us is certainly inexplicable. To throw...Read More