RETINAL LASER SIMULATION COURSE FOR ESO
TRAINING LEADS
Miss Evelyn Mensah and Miss Rabia Bourkiza
Central Middlesex Hospital, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, UK
EMIRATES TRAINING FACULTY
Dubai
Sharjah
Sharjah
Abu Dhabi
Sharjah
Abu Dhabi
FACILITATOR SUPPORT: Resitha Airey, Managing Director Foresight Healthcare Consultancy
ON-LINE SUPPORT: Li Yan, PA to Professor Peter Scanlon in UK
BACKGROUND
Professor Peter Scanlon is a Consultant Ophthalmologist at Gloucestershire and Oxford Eye Units and he is an Associate Professor University of Oxford. He is also the founder of Quality Improvement in Laser Treatment (QUILT).
In 2017 - 2019, Professor Scanlon won an International Association for Prevention of Blindness innovation award for QUILT laser training. This combined an e-learning course, a downloadable installation tool, and development of printed artificial retinas on thermal paper within artificial eyes to support practical skills training in retinal laser treatment, devise treatment plans and provide mock laser treatment tools.
QUILT was presented at the Royal College of Ophthalmologists to London Ophthalmology Residents in 2019. In 2020, Professor Scanlon conducted five QUILT Zoom Train the Trainer sessions for the London Training Faculty and five courses for Residents.
Professor Scanlon's pioneering retinal laser simulation materials have transcended borders, making a significant impact in countries such as China, Ethiopia and more recently, Kyrgyzstan.
DESCRIPTION
This innovative retinal laser simulation course for the 23rd ESO conference is designed for Ophthalmology Residents. It is divided into two main parts:
On-line pre-learning (completed in advance of F2F sim session)
This online course in laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy must be completed in advance of the Face-to-Face (F2F) QUILT Laser Simulation session (described below). Candidates that enroll on to the course will be sent a link by Li Yan 2-3 weeks in advance to complete this on-line course which will include the following learning outcomes:
- a. Physical and biological properties of lasers
- b. Laser safety
- c. Laser machines used in ophthalmology
- d. Choice of laser lenses
- e. Laser treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy
- f. Laser treatment of diabetic maculopathy
Laser Simulation (Hilton Abu Dhabi, Yas Island, UAE - 16th April 2026)
This face-to-face half day workshop session involves the following:
- a. Computer based laser simulation using QUILT (Quality Improvement in Laser Training)
- b. Practical laser simulation using the live retinal laser machine together with the RetiEye and photochromic paper laser inserts
REQUIREMENTS
To be able to participate in the F2F QUILT session at the ESO conference, candidates must:
- Complete the on-line pre-learning course in advance as described above.
- Have a laptop that they use during the F2F QUILT course.
Unfortunately, due to high demand, candidates that do not comply with a. will not be able to participate in b.
F2F QUILT COURSE IN DETAIL
After completing the on-line pre-learning course, candidates will be sent a link by Li Yan to download the QUILT software onto their laptops in advance of the F2F QUILT course. Once downloaded, candidates must not start the course. Candidates must bring their laptops to the F2F workshop session at the ESO conference where they will be trained on how to deliver safe laser for the retinal conditions described below.
For each retinal conditions, there will be a series of diagnostic images such as a colour fundus photo, optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan +/- fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) image. Whilst using QUILT on their laptops, candidates will be trained to choose the laser machine, fundus contact lens and laser parameters (spot size, duration, starting power etc)
Clinically Significant Macular Oedema (CSMO)
Over the past 15 years, intravitreal injection therapies have become extremely common in the management of diabetic retinopathy. Whilst there has been a corresponding reduction in the number of laser treatments for particularly diabetic maculopathy, ophthalmology trainees have struggled to gain adequate experience in appropriate laser application for CSMO. If laser for CSMO is not applied safely, the macula laser treatment can result in visual loss. During the QUILT course, candidates will be taught the principles behind when and how to apply safe macular laser treatment for CSMO.
Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR)
PDR can present as new vessels on the disc (NVD), new vessels elsewhere (NVE), pre-retinal haemorrhage and vitreous haemorrhage. During the QUILT course, candidates will be taught how to apply appropriate and adequate pan-retinal photocoagulation (PRP) laser for NVD and NVE using single shot or multi-shot parameters on QUILT.
CSMO and PDR
The principles behind what is treated first, CSMO or PDR, will be discussed during the QUILT course.
Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO) with New Vessels Elsewhere (NVE)
An ischaemic RVO can present with neovascularisation. Using the colour fundus photos and FFA, candidates will be taught how to apply appropriate sector PRP.
Retinal Tear
Timely and adequate laser retinopexy is required to prevent retinal tear progression to becoming a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. During the QUILT course, candidates will be taught the laser parameters and appropriate application for laser retinopexy to treat a retinal tear.
Retinal Arterial Macroneurysm
Candidates will be taught when and how to treat RAM using the appropriate laser parameters.
The training leads and faculty hope that you enjoy participating on this retinal laser simulation course. Your feedback is important to us so please do complete the feedback form at the end of the course.
Warmest regards
COURSE SCHEDULE · 16 April 2026
| Time | Laser Room 1 | Laser Room 2 | Lecture Room (QUILT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09.00 - 09.25 |
Welcome & Introduction Brief discussion on laser safety Introduction to QUILT and the RETIEEY – Laser training faculty discuss different approaches to laser treatment using the QUILT tool and RetiEye with laser |
||
| Laser room 1 Laser machine training (with VDU/viewing post) and RetiEye and paper retinas. 1 or 2 x UAE Training Faculty 2x candidates |
Laser room 2 Laser machine training (with VDU/viewing post) and RetiEye and paper retinas. 1 or 2 x UAE Training Faculty 2x candidates |
Lecture room with candidates and their laptops using QUILT tool Evelyn Mensah Resitha Airey UAE Training Faculty |
|
| 5 minute turnaround | |||
| 09.30 - 09.50 | candidate 1 & 2 | candidate 3 & 4 | candidate 5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24 |
| 5 minute turnaround | |||
| 09.55 - 10.15 | candidate 5 & 6 | candidate 7 & 8 | candidate 1,2,3,4,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24 |
| 5 minute turnaround | |||
| 10.20 - 10.40 | candidate 9 & 10 | candidate 11 & 12 | candidate 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24 |
| 5 minute turnaround | |||
| 10.45 - 11.05 | candidate 13 & 14 | candidate 15 & 16 | candidate 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24 |
| 5 minute turnaround | |||
| 11.10 - 11.30 | candidate 17 & 18 | candidate 19 & 20 | candidate 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,19,21,22,23,24 |
| 5 minute turnaround | |||
| 11.35 - 11.55 | candidate 21 & 22 | candidate 23 & 24 | candidate 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20 |
| 11.55 - 12.00 | Feedback and Finish | ||
| 12.00 - 13.00 | 🥗 LUNCH | ||
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