At the end of the Ophthalmology Online Learning program, three elective Practical Modules are available. These are run by Improve Veterinary Education UK and are held in Sheffield in the United Kingdom.
Practical Modules are tutored by Ben Blacklock BVSc DipECVO MRCVS and Pedro Malho(DipECVO CES OphtVét DVM MRCVS). The modules (see details below) are capped at a maximum of 12 delegates and delivered in a state-of-the-art training venue using the latest equipment.
These Modules are available at an exclusive price for delegates of the Ophthalmology Online Learning Program. Please note, these workshops will also be opened up to the wider veterinary community so contact Improve UK directly to guarantee a place.
Entry Requirements
Registration for the Optional Practical Modules will initially be on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis to delegates in the Ophthalmology Online Learning Program.
Would you like to attend these modules in the USA or Australia?
The optional practical modules are currently scheduled to take place in Improve Veterinary Education’s facilities in Sheffield (UK). If a minimum number of participants can be obtained, these practical sessions may be offered in California, USA or Brisbane, Australia.
If you would like to attend the practical modules and prefer workshops in USA or Australia, please contact Improve Australia directly on [email protected]
An Improve Team Member will contact you with more information only if adequate interest means this option becomes available.
Email [email protected] directly If you would like attend Optional Modules in the USA/Australia
Perform common surgical techniques for treating disease of the orbit, globe, eyelids, and third eyelid
Practice reconstructive eyelid surgery and the surgical techniques used to correct entropion and ectropion and resection of eyelid masses
Practice the surgical technique to reposition prolapsed nictitans glands
Practice repositioning of proptosed globe and drainage of retrobulbar abscess via pterygopalatine fossa
Perform different methods for enucleation and appreciate the advantages and disadvantages of each
Appreciate the principles of intraocular surgery
Recognise different type, depth and severity of corneal ulcers
Review the approach and treatment options for Spontaneous Chronic Corneal Epithelial Defects (SCCED) and complicated ulcers
Practice grid/punctuate keratotomies and corneal burr debridement
Practice performing a conjunctival pedicle graft
Perform corneal surgical procedures such as superficial keratectomy and suturing of a non penetrating corneal laceration
Identify and localise corneal foreign bodies and learn tips for their removal
Recognise when corneal reconstructive surgery is required, including corneoconjunctival transposition (CCT) and full thickness keratoplasty (video presentation of CCT)
Learn how to select a patient for cataract surgery, the after care and possible complications of this surgery (video presentation of a cataract surgery)
Practice performing a thorough and systematic ocular examination
Recognise commonly used ophthalmic instruments and understand their use
Use loupes and understand operating microscopes for surgical magnification
Select appropriate suture material and needle designs
Discuss pre and post-operative care of surgical patients and appropriate anaesthetic regimes
Review the surgical preparation and positioning of patients for ophthalmic procedures
Recognise the basic surgical principles as they pertain to ophthalmic surgery
Perform common surgical techniques for treating disease of the orbit, globe, eyelids, and third eyelid
Practice reconstructive eyelid surgery and the surgical techniques used to correct entropion and ectropion and resection of eyelid masses
Practice the surgical technique to reposition prolapsed nictitans glands
Practice repositioning of proptosed globe and drainage of retrobulbar abscess via pterygopalatine fossa
Perform different methods for enucleation and appreciate the advantages and disadvantages of each
Appreciate the principles of intraocular surgery
Recognise different type, depth and severity of corneal ulcers
Review the approach and treatment options for Spontaneous Chronic Corneal Epithelial Defects (SCCED) and complicated ulcers
Practice grid/punctuate keratotomies and corneal burr debridement
Practice performing a conjunctival pedicle graft
Perform corneal surgical procedures such as superficial keratectomy and suturing of a non penetrating corneal laceration
Identify and localise corneal foreign bodies and learn tips for their removal
Recognise when corneal reconstructive surgery is required, including corneoconjunctival transposition (CCT) and full thickness keratoplasty (video presentation of CCT)
Learn how to select a patient for cataract surgery, the after care and possible complications of this surgery (video presentation of a cataract surgery)
Practice performing a thorough and systematic ocular examination
Recognise commonly used ophthalmic instruments and understand their use
Use loupes and understand operating microscopes for surgical magnification
Select appropriate suture material and needle designs
Discuss pre and post-operative care of surgical patients and appropriate anaesthetic regimes
Review the surgical preparation and positioning of patients for ophthalmic procedures
Recognise the basic surgical principles as they pertain to ophthalmic surgery
I graduated from the University of Bristol in 2009 and went straight into mixed general practice in Lancashire, where I spent a lot of time on dairy farms and began to get excited about ophthalmology. In 2011 I moved to Newmarket and undertook a rotating internship position at the Animal Health Trust. Following the internship I embarked on a 3 year ECVO residency program with the comparative ophthalmology unit at the Animal Health Trust. Following my training, I moved to Dick White Referrals, a busy private referral hospital in Cambridgeshire, where I worked for 4 years. I joined the R(D)SVS in 2019 to establish a clinical ophthalmology service and where I hope to be able to help inspire the next generation of veterinary surgeons to find eyes as fascinating as I do! I am an RCVS and EBVS recognised specialist in Veterinary Ophthalmology and I am a BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme panellist.
Pedro has an interest in eyes and ocular diseases in a variety of animal species. After graduating from UTAD Vila Real, Portugal, Pedro underwent a rotating internship. Pedro successfully completed the Certificat d'Études Supérieures en Ophtalmologie Vétérinaire at École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse–France in 2007/08 followed by an eighteen-month Ophthalmology Internship at the Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, UK. In 2010 Pedro started a European College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists approved residency program at the Animal Health Trust where he was appointed Ophthalmology Clinician after finishing his training. Pedro joined the Ophthalmology team at Pride Veterinary Centre in October 2014. Pedro lectures frequently at national and international veterinary ophthalmology congresses and he is involved in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching. Pedro is also the course director for Improve Internationals GPCert/PgC Small Animal Ophthalmology Online learning programme.