I'm an MS4 student currently doing a year of research, but looking to get a jump on my ophtho rotation coming up this spring. I've heard that Basic Ophtho and Wills are good texts for med students. Anyone have any experience with one or the other or any rec's for addition texts that I should read between now and then? Would it be worth reading both of them, or would my time be better served sticking to one and supplementing with something else? Thanks in advance for any input.
I concur.
"Practical Ophthalmology: A Manual for Beginning Residents" is great if you're definitely doing Ophthalmology as a career but don't have any practical examination skills (which btw most medical students don't have since there is usually almost no exposure to Ophthalmology in med school). Beyond that, I would read up on the BASICS of the common problems seen in the clinic (e.g. diabetic retinopathy, cataract, macular degeneration, glaucoma, dry eye, retinal tears/detachment, ocular trauma stuff) in a text like Kanski or even the BCSC series (if you can borrow a copy).
I wouldn't worry about trying to know everything about Ophthalmology before your 1-month Ophtho rotation -- it just is not going to happen. No one is going to ask you about "Blau syndrome" or AMPPE for instance. I would work instead on your basic eye examination skills, e.g. checking visual acuity, checking intraocular pressure, pupil exam, basic slit-lamp exam, and hopefully seeing the fundus with indirect ophthalmoscopy.
What Ophtho residents hate the most is when a med student comes into the rotation, thinks he/she knows everything, and either tries to pimp the residents or makes the residents look bad in front of their attendings. Most residents also don't want to be slowed down by trying to explain everything to a med student. But at the same time, don't be a wallflower and fall asleep in the corner of the room. Selectively ask questions and show some enthusiasm.
It is much better just to be a pleasant, humble med student who helps out in clinic by doing some of the mundane tasks that residents don't want to do (e.g. taking an accurate but succint history, checking vision and pressure accurately). And then answering questions intelligently that are presented to them from the residents/fellows/attendings without coming off as an arrogant person. If you are a good public speaker, it also helps to volunteer to give a case presentation during Grand Rounds.
-OQ
