2021 Curriculum learning syllabus: stage 3 special interest areas

Published: 25/02/2021

Anaesthesia for Ophthalmic Surgery

  • Group 2: 3 to 6 months

Learning outcomes

  • Provides safe perioperative anaesthetic care for a wide variety of complex ophthalmic procedures independently
  • Is capable of leading the delivery of care in this area of anaesthetic practice, to the benefit of both patients and the organisation

Key capabilities 

A

Provides safe and effective peribulbar and sub-Tenon’s regional anaesthesia in appropriate patients for ophthalmic surgery, understanding implications of biometry measurements and B scan results

B

Delivers perioperative anaesthetic management of patients having orbital surgery or vitreo-retinal surgery including specific considerations in laser treatment

C

Delivers safe anaesthetic management of patients for glaucoma surgery appreciating the different types of procedures undertaken and any specific anaesthetic requirements

D

Manages the perioperative care of patients having complex cornea surgery including the issues relating to tissue transplant

E

Provides safe perioperative management of children for ophthalmic surgery including those with complex congenital syndromes

Examples of evidence

Experience and logbook:
  • experience of a wide range of elective and emergency ophthalmic procedures including those in children.
Supervised Learning Events (SLEs) can be used to demonstrate:
  • assessment and management of cases as detailed in key capabilities
  • management of intra-ocular pressure
  • implications of use of laser in ophthalmic theatres
  • ability to provide ophthalmic regional anaesthesia
  • liaison with surgical team in the management of complex patients
  • safe sedation for ophthalmic surgery under local anaesthesia
  • management of ophthalmic trauma including open globe injuries.
Personal Activities and Personal Reflections may include:
  • national and international meetings related to ophthalmic anaesthesia
  • presentation at relevant meeting eg abstract or free paper
  • teaching and training junior staff; this can include the use of part simulators for ophthalmic regional anaesthesia
  • development of guidelines and policies related to ophthalmic anaesthesia
  • leadership of QI projects related to ophthalmic anaesthesia
  • leadership training.
Other evidence:
  • satisfactory MSF.

Suggested supervision level

  • 4 - should be able to manage independently with no supervisor involvement (although should inform consultant supervisor as appropriate to local protocols).

Cross links with other domains and capabilities

  • all generic professional domains of learning
  • Perioperative Medicine and Health Promotion
  • General Anaesthesia
  • Regional Anaesthesia