Queen's University Belfast x Ulster University Ophthalmology Conference
28th March 2026
Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast
Aims and Objectives
- To provide medical students and foundation year doctors with an introduction to ophthalmology and the career pathways available.
- To deliver high‑quality teaching from experienced clinicians across a wide range of subspecialties.
- To develop practical clinical skills through hands‑on workshops in microsuturing, fundoscopy, visual acuity assessment, and retinal pathology spot diagnosis.
- To raise awareness of sight loss and promote patient‑centred communication and empathy.
- To encourage interest in ophthalmology as a specialty among students and foundation year doctors considering ST training applications.
Fee, Date and Venue
- Date : 28th March 2026
- Time : 1000 - 1610 hours
- Venue : Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL
- Conference Fee : £3.00
- No. of Places Available : 60
- Suitable for : Medical Students and Early Foundation Doctors
Organisers
- Ms Saw Yu Waddi Nwe – Conference Chair
- Ms Shems Almusawi – Conference Co Chair, PR Coordinator and Graphic Design
- Mr Yong Bin (Kevin) Lim – Treasurer, Academic Coordinator
- Ms Rachael Annett – Logistics Coordinator
- Ms Heather Baker – Logistics Coordinator, Academic Coordinator
- Ms Aliya Zayed – Speaker Organiser
- Ms Aoife Quah – Speaker Organiser
- Ms Ann Thomas – Workshop Coordinator
- Ms Nashrah Qureshi – PR Coordinator and Graphic Design
- Ms Sruthilayaa Rajesh – PR Coordinator and Graphic Design
About
The Queen's University Belfast x Ulster University Ophthalmology Conference is a collaborative academic event jointly organised by the ophthalmology societies of Northern Ireland’s leading medical schools. The conference is targeted at medical students and Foundation Year doctors with a keen interest in the competitive field of ophthalmology. The societies hope to encourage cross‑border participation from across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, bringing together the next generation of clinical and medical ophthalmologists for a day of immersive learning.
Participants will hear from distinguished professors and consultants from leading clinical institutions across Belfast, Derry, and Dublin. Workshops cover a wide range of skills, from microsuturing with ophthalmic equipment to immersive VR surgical experiences and sight‑loss simulation. With an accessible registration fee and QUB’s unique location, this conference aims to be inclusive, high‑impact, and to foster continued collaboration between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Organisers
Swansea
- Mr Jaskaran Singh Bhangu - President
- Miss Poornima Ramesh - Vice President
- Mr Keioni Essex - Sponsorship/Workshop Lead
- Miss Zoe Edwards-I-Coll - Sponsorship/Workshop Lead
- Miss Palesa Ndlovu - Secretary
- Miss Rebecca Kent - Workshop Lead
- Miss Rhadika Rewal - Workshop Lead
- Mr Chris Stewart - Workshop Lead
Cardiff
- Miss Nada Dahan - Conference Lead
- Miss Zena Al-Essawi - Conference Lead VP
- Miss Alaa Mohammed - Marketing Manager
- Mr Ahmed Mansoor - Secretary
- Miss Becky Leveridge - Treasurer
- Miss Sanjana Purbhoo - Workshop Lead
- Miss Hanifa Alis - Workshop Lead
- Miss Anisa Shah - Workshop Lead
Faculty and Speakers
Professor Tunde Peto, MD, MHealthED, PhD, FRCOphth
Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology
Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast
Dr Padraig Mulholland, BSc, PhD, MCOptom
Senior Lecturer in Optometry
Ulster University, Derry
Professor Michael Williams, BMedSci, MD, MRCOphth, MMedED
Professor of Clinical Education, Honorary Consultant in Ophthalmology, Visiting Professor in Optometry, and RCOphth Lead for INSPIRE
Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, and University of Ulster, Derry
Dr Colin Willoughby, BSc (Hons), MBChB (Hons), FRCOphth, MD
Professor of Ophthalmology and Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Ulster University, Derry, and Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast
Ms Christine Goodchild, MB Bch BAO, Mch, MRCSI (Ophth), FBOD
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon and Co-Programme Director for Surgical Ophthalmology
St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, and Irish College of Ophthalmologists, Dublin
Workshop Leads
Dr Aoife O'Donnell
Foundation Year 1 Doctor
Northern Health and Social Care Trust, Northern Ireland
Miss Fiona Joyce
RNIB Northern Ireland Social Action Team, Northern Ireland
Ms Swati Mulchandani
VRiMS Representative
Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast
Ms Ellen Martin
VRiMS Representative
Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast
Abstract Submission
The Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University Ophthalmology Societies invite abstract submissions for the Queen's University Belfast x Ulster University Ophthalmology Conference. Submissions are welcome from medical students, foundation doctors, trainees, and early career researchers. All study types are accepted, including original research, audits, quality improvement projects, case reports or case series, or reviews relevant to ophthalmology.
The deadline for abstract submission is 2nd March 2026.
Abstracts must not exceed 250 words (excluding references).
Selected abstracts will be invited for poster or oral presentation. All submissions will be reviewed, and corresponding authors will be notified of acceptance by early March. Accepted abstracts will also be eligible for Best Poster Presentation award(s).
Submission link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeaHaOniv93xyQzFba3A6tu3aYFYbySOzwuVuIhVCgIvuBcoQ/viewform
Workshops
Awareness to Action – Understanding Sight Loss
Led by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), this workshop focuses on understanding sight loss, how to communicate with someone who has sight loss, and includes simulation exercises to experience the perspective of someone who is blind or partially sighted.
Microsuturing and Ophthalmology OSCEs
F1 Dr O’Donnell will lead a workshop on how to microsuture using ophthalmic surgical equipment on grapes. Student workshop leads, third-year Heather Baker and fourth-year Kevin Lim, will run OSCE stations covering fundoscopy, spot diagnosis of retinal pathologies, and visual acuity measurement.
VR Ophthalmic and Oculoplastic Surgery; Ophthalmology OSCE
Virtual Reality in Medicine and Surgery (VRiMS) has kindly provided 5–6 VR headsets, allowing participants to watch pre-recorded ophthalmic and oculoplastic surgeries performed on cadavers. Students waiting their turn will be able to practise practical skills using eye models and ophthalmoscopes. Ophthalmology OSCE stations are sponsored by Geeky Medics.
