£500
Specialty Trainees & Fellows
Trainees & fellows
Open to all ophthalmology specialty trainees (ST1–ST7) and post-CCT clinical or research fellows practising in the UK.
Essay question
“With increasing subspecialisation, reduced operative exposure, and the rapid integration of AI-assisted diagnostics, critically evaluate whether the current ophthalmology training pathway in the UK remains fit for purpose — and propose a bold reform for the next decade.”
Entering a different career stage? View all prize categories →
Submission requirements
- Word count
- 1,500 – 2,000 words (excluding references)
- Referencing style
- Academic (Vancouver or Harvard accepted)
- Format
- PDF or Word document (.docx)
- Eligibility
- Open to all ophthalmology specialty trainees (ST1–ST7) and post-CCT clinical or research fellows practising in the UK.
- How to submit
- Email your essay manually to ophthalmologyq@gmail.com before the deadline
- Closing date
- 1st October 2026
- Hear back by
- January 2027
Judging & announcement
Essays will be assessed by a panel of consultant ophthalmologists, academic clinicians, and senior trainees. Entries will be judged on originality of argument, quality of evidence-based reasoning, clarity of academic writing, and engagement with contemporary issues in ophthalmology.
You should hear back by January 2027. Results will be announced and the prize presented at a forthcoming national event.
Ready to enter?
Send your submission manually by email to ophthalmologyq@gmail.com before 1st October 2026. Attach your essay as a PDF or Word document (.docx). Each entrant may submit one essay per category. Co-authored submissions are not accepted; entries must be your original, unpublished work.
For enquiries regarding eligibility or submission, email ophthalmologyq@gmail.com.