Greetings to All!!
The semester is already starting to roll. The demands and pressures of being a 2nd year student are rising to a peak. We have had an anterior segment and contact lens exam with more to follow soon. Not to mention we have two practicals next week in Anterior Segment and Theory & Methods.
In Anterior Segment lab we are responsible for properly examining and accurately describing structures such as lids, lashes, conjunctiva, cornea, anterior chamber, iris, and the crystalline lens. We also have to check Van Herick Angles and perform Goldmann Tonometry. Checking Van Herick Angles before dilating a patient is important in that we are trying to prevent angle closure glaucoma by first assessing the width of the anterior chamber. We have learned so many procedures in this lab, and we are only a month into this semester. Just last week I was able to perform a technique called Dilation & Irrigation, and also put punctual plugs in one of my classmate’s lids.
In Theory & Methods we are responsible for properly examining and accurately describing structures in the retina using a BIO. This particular procedure can be difficult, but with more and more practice the worry of not doing well is starting to leave my mind.
As you can see, this semester is definitely different in that there is more of a demand in lab. We are more involved in practicing our skills outside of our normal lab time to ensure that we do well on our practicals and to become more efficient with timing. Pre-clinic checkouts are this semester and everyone wants to exceed expectations in the hope that when we get to clinic we know we can complete a quality exam in a timely and orderly manner.
Well for me it’s back to the books.
Until next time… Later~