Our areas of funding - education
We feel passionate about the education of Ophthalmologists and the sharing of knowledge about this medical field. With your assistance we can support specific educational projects which include:
Cambridge Ophthalmic Simulation Centre (CAMSTARS)
Over the past few years there has been a rapid increase in the number of simulation based models for technical skills training in ophthalmology and a growing consensus about which procedures should be practised in a simulation based environment prior to working with patients. There is a growing body of research which suggests that simulation can contribute to a reduction in real world complications for patients. Simulation of visual impairment can also potentially enable greater empathy for our visually impaired patients.
Thanks to the generous support of the Cambridge Eye Trust (CET) and the Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT), a state-of-the-art Cambridge Eye Simulation, Training and Research Suite (CAMSTARS) has opened its doors!
This exciting refurbishment, has transformed what was once a dark, cluttered, and outdated space into a bright, modern, and welcoming facility for ophthalmology trainees. Previously, the room housed a surgical simulator and some basic equipment, but it was cramped and unfit for purpose. Now, following an extensive upgrade - including the safe removal of asbestos - CAMSTARS provides a spacious and well-equipped environment for surgical training, research, and professional development.
The suite now features cutting-edge simulation equipment, a comfortable workspace, and an area where trainees can relax and recharge - all essential for delivering the best possible patient care.
Screening tool to identify Stickler syndrome in children with Perthes disease
In collaboration with the University of Liverpool and Stickler Syndrome UK charity, and funded by generous awards from Addenbrookes Charitable Trust, Cambridge Trust, and Churchill College (University of Cambridge), Dr Robert Smyth has joined the Vitreoretinal Research Group as an MPhil student to seek to develop a screening tool to identify Stickler syndrome in children with Perthes disease, offering prophylactic treatment to prevent retinal detachment and sight loss in those affected. Stickler syndrome is the most common cause of familial retinal detachment, and a particularly important cause of visual loss in children due to delayed presentation. It is however preventable, with the Vitreoretinal Service at CUH pioneering a prophylactic cryoretinopexy technique that shows a 5-10 fold reduction in retinal detachment in the most common Stickler syndrome type 1. A recent case series in this Stickler population has shown an association with childhood Perthes disease, a degenerative hip disease that was typically diagnosed before any retinal detachment. This therefore presents an opportunity to achieve early diagnosis via screening of the Perthes disease population, using family and past medical history to identify those at risk of Stickler syndrome type 1, and genetic testing of patient's COL2A1 gene to confirm undiagnosed Stickler syndrome. Patients can then be offered the prophylactic treatment before any retinal detachment and sight loss occurs.
Cambridge Ophthalmological Symposium
We have been facilitating the Cambridge Ophthalmological Symposium since 1970. The meeting is now a well established, internationally significant event. It attracts a worldwide audience who discuss and debate the most recent innovations in ophthalmology. Bursaries are offered each year to 2+ doctors who would not otherwise been able to participate. The Symposium takes place the first Thursday and Friday of September at St John's College, Cambridge.
Addenbrooke's Cataract training
With grants from the Cambridge Eye Trust, Health Education England and Addenbrooke’s Postgraduate Medical Centre, this £100,000 addition to the Ophthalmology training equipment is already being used to help the ophthalmology consultants of the future to hone their surgical skills.
Cataract surgery is incredibly intricate and requires the use of both hands, both feet and both eyes simultaneously. Training ophthalmologists to achieve the required levels of dexterity has been a challenge. The EyeSi simulator very realistically allows training surgeons to learn all the steps of cataract surgery, improve their dexterity and achieve a high level of competence before they start in the operating theatre. There is now good evidence that surgeons trained on the EyeSi make faster progress in their training and become better and safer surgeons much more quickly. Established eye surgeons are using the simulator to develop their techniques and many training courses are planned over the coming years.