Experience within the Department

Professor Stulting, head of the department, has been involved in training of surgeons in Botswana, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Libya, Malawi, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Somalia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda and Zimbabwe. He was a guest speaker and external examiner in most of above mentioned countries.

Prof Stulting is also a board member of Middle East and Africa Council of Ophthalmology

Undergraduate training - MBChB IV

An eight week module of four hours per week in Ophthalmology and Primary Eye Care aims to supply students with the basic skills in examination, diagnosis and treatment of different eye conditions. The module forms part of the Surgery rotation in the MBChB fourth year and is part of semesters 7 & 8 in the undergraduate course of the UFS.

Assessment

The module is assessed by weekly written tests, a formal written test at the end of the module and a written examination at the end of the semester. Practical training is done through demonstrations by Registrars and is monitored by keeping a logbook.

The Department is also responsible for training of undergraduate students in Occupational Therapy and Optometry. The undergraduate programmes in Ophthalmology are being coordinated by Dr Mathys Labuschagne.  

Post graduate training

The Department is responsible for:

• CME training courses in Family Medicine, Occupational Health and Sports Medicine and
• Registrar training for specialisation in Ophthalmology.

South African College of Ophthalmology

The primary examination (Part 1) will be accepted and the candidate can get exemption from Anatomy and Physiology in the MMed course.
A candidate, who has Part 1, can write Part 2 from the College. A candidate who does not have Part 1 can write Part 2 after completion of MMed final examination. 

Application for a position as Registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology

• The candidate must be in possession of a MBChB degree from a South African University
• The candidate must be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA)

Attendance of congresses and professional meetings

Consultants and Registrars are encouraged to attend most of the local Ophthalmological meetings or congresses. The consultants attend at least one international congress per year.

Local meetings include:

• Ophthalmological Society of South Africa (OSSA),
• South African Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (SASCRS),
• South African Glaucoma Society (SAGS),
• South African Vitreo-Retinal Society (SAVRS),
• South African Society of Oculo-plastic surgeons (SASOPS),
• annual Jacaranda meeting and
• Cape Eye Hospital meetings. 

Process of cataract surgery during Cataract Blitz