A growing body of literature has highlighted a global decline in undergraduate ophthalmology teaching over the past two decades, with many students reporting low confidence in their ophthalmic knowledge and clinical skills1. New Zealand studies have also highlighted concerns that final-year medical students often feel less confident in ophthalmology-specific skills and knowledge compared with other areas of medicine3. Together, these findings highlight the value of creating opportunities for earlier and more sustained engagement with the specialty.
At the same time, we recognised that students were keen to learn more about ophthalmology when opportunities were made available. Earlier this year, we organised an ophthalmology careers evening that drew strong engagement from medical students across multiple year levels. The event brought together clinicians, trainees and students to discuss career pathways, research opportunities and life within the specialty. The enthusiasm demonstrated by attendees reinforced that there is a genuine appetite for opportunities to explore ophthalmology beyond the formal curriculum and highlighted the value of creating a dedicated student community around the specialty.
Building on this momentum, OCULAR was subsequently accepted as an official UoA club. In the coming years, it aims to provide further early exposure to the specialty through clinical skills workshops, career evenings and research mentorship opportunities led by senior students, junior doctors and ophthalmologists.
OCULAR also recognises the importance of creating an inclusive and supportive environment for students. While many interest groups naturally attract students already committed to a particular career path, our vision is to create a space that welcomes all students, regardless of their stage of study or prior exposure to ophthalmology. Whether students are simply curious about the specialty or actively considering it as a future career, they will be encouraged to participate and engage with the wider eye health community.
We look forward to working alongside ophthalmologists, trainees, researchers and allied eye health professionals to build a sustainable and engaging programme for students. We hope that by creating such opportunities, OCULAR can inspire more students to discover the unique and rewarding career pathways ophthalmology has to offer.
Acknowledgements
OCULAR would like to sincerely thank the ophthalmologists and trainees who generously volunteered their time to speak at our events, as well as our event sponsors: Eye Institute, Eye Associates, Eye Surgery Associates, Medical Assurance Society and ZEISS for their support. Their contributions have been invaluable in creating opportunities for students to engage with ophthalmology beyond the formal curriculum.
References
- Spencer SKR, Ireland PA, Braden J, et al. A Systematic Review of Ophthalmology Education in Medical Schools: The Global Decline. Ophthalmology. 2024;131:855–863.
- Ah-Chan JJ, Sanderson G, Vote BJT, Molteno ACB. Undergraduate ophthalmology education survey of New Zealand ophthalmologists, general practitioners and optometrists. Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2001;29:416–425.
- Han LSM, Ogbuehi KC. Focus on undergraduate ophthalmology teaching: survey of final year medical students in a New Zealand medical school. Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2020;48(7):1001–1002.
