Innes Jim

Consultant Ophthalmologist (Retd.), HILS Eye Consultant (Education) Hull UK, Simulation Lead Yorkshire School of Ophthalmology, Skills Faculty Lead Royal College of Ophthalmologists, London

I started my training in 1978 in the days of "See one, do one, teach one"

I commenced my consultant career in 1985 as a generalist but gradually took on more Paediatric Ophthalmology and Motility as new colleagues arrived.

I set up screening and treatment for Retinopathy of Prematurity in my area, performed the first vitrectomy in Hull, developed endonasal DCR using Holmium laser in my area, and had the privilege of helping design the new Eye Hospital in Hull to serve Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire

My interest has been in teaching and offering a better experience for the junior colleagues coming through.  

My first Simulation device was called VisualEyes made to help develop our skills in Extracapsular Catract surgery.  Subsequently I have developed systems to teach retinal laser and think we were the first to use cadaveric material preserved by the method of Walter Thiel for strabismus surgery teaching.  I went on to develop a surgical wet lab, something which I continue to oversee in my retirement. I decided to continue with this as my contribution during the Covid pandemic.  I enjoy devising new materials and tech for simulation and supervision. I have designed a surgical practise workstation which only requires a phaco machine to produce a mini wet lab.  I have set this up locally and across the Yorkshire school to allow remote supervision using Zoom or other conferencing software, and I can telestrate over the live surgical view monitor of the far end surgeon.  The furthest we have reached so far is from Hull to Lagos in Nigeria.