Free Online Educational Resources

By Andrew Doan, MD, PhD

Editor-In-Chief, Pearls in Ophthalmology

Comprehensive Ophthalmology & Ocular Pathology

F.E.P. International, which is the parent organization of MedRounds, uses a logo containing a drawing of a leaf from the fig tree. We decided on a fig leaf because of our publishing motto, Free Is Good.

The Internet allows the delivery of content in all forms of media. Similar to why television programs are “free”, we believe high quality educational materials should also be accessible and “free” for those who seek to learn. In order to provide you with high quality educational materials, we seek the support of advertisers. Our corporate sponsors, however, do not influence the editorial content of our educational materials. We encourage you to visit our sponsors’ websites to show your support of the MedRounds’ educational mission and learn about their services and products.

There are numerous free educational resources on the Internet that are useful to eye care providers. I have listed these links and discussed them in this article.

Links useful to medical students and first year residents:

http://www.redatlas.com/ - The Red Atlas is an online atlas of ophthalmology. This website was started by Alexander Walsh, MD when he was a resident. Dr. Walsh is now a retina faculty at The Doheny Eye Institute. With hundreds of photos, this is the best online atlas.

www.medrounds.org/ocular-pathology-study-guide/2005/10/anatomy-of-eye-study-guide-for.html - Dr. Ben Glasgow’s eye anatomy study guide is the most comprehensive eye anatomy resource on the internet and is essential for all medical students and first year residents. Increase your knowledge of basic anatomy before starting your residency.

www.missionforvisionusa.org/anatomy/2005/10/eye-anatomy-human.html - This version of Dr. Glasgow's Anatomy of the Eye is an outstanding resource for medical students.

www.medrounds.org/refract/menu.htm - The refracting and retinoscopy tutorial is an online educational resource by Todd Zarwell, OD. I highly recommend this tutorial for all first year residents.

forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=47 – Do you have questions about ophthalmology that you may not feel comfortable asking your faculty or colleagues? Then go to this online discussion forum to ask your question. This is the most popular ophthalmology discussion forum on the Internet. During match day, this forum will have hundreds of readers every hour!

www.kellogg.umich.edu/theeyeshaveit/ - This is an excellent basic online textbook of ophthalmology for medical students.

Links useful to senior residents:

www.medrounds.org/ophthalmology-board-review/exam/ - This is an online study tool for board review. This is a work in progress that will allow self-testing and studying for the boards and OKAP.

http://www.eyepodvideo.org/ – A growing archive of narrated surgical and clinical videos for reference and download. These videos are formatted for use with Apple’s iTunes, QuickTime, and video iPod.

www.medrounds.org/cataract-surgery-greenhorns/ - Cataract Surgery for Greenhorns by Thomas Oetting, MS, MD is an online textbook for young cataract surgeons. There are over two hours of surgical videos to help surgeons learn the basics of cataract surgery.

www.medrounds.org/optics-review/ - Essential Optics Review for the Boards is written by Mark Wilkinson, OD at the University of Iowa. This online e-book will soon be available in book form and provides a complete review of optics fundamentals for the boards.

webeye.ophth.uiowa.edu/eyeforum/ - EyeRounds.org was created by Andrew Doan, MD, PhD during his residency at the University of Iowa. It is an internally peer-reviewed website for the publishing of ophthalmic case reports.

http://asseenfromhere.com/ - Founded by Josh Young, MD at New York University, this website provides ophthalmology journal clubs via Podcast.

www.aao.org/yo/ - A website from the American Academy of Ophthalmology dedicated to serving the interests of the Young Ophthalmologist.

www.nei.nih.gov/neitrials/all-alpha.aspx - Review the major clinical trials in ophthalmology. This provides a good review before board examinations.

Websites of general interest

webeye.ophth.uiowa.edu/dept/Websites/eyeres.htm - Page of Eye Care Resources on the Internet maintained at the University of Iowa.

www.aao.org/aao/news/eyenet/ - An online version of the American Academy of Ophthalmology EyeNet magazine.

www.medrounds.org/protect-your-sight/ - Protect Your Sight by James Folk, MD and Mark Wilkinson, OD is an online e-book and printed book written for patients and doctors who treat patients with macular degeneration.

www.medrounds.org/glaucoma-guide/ - A Patient’s Guide to Glaucoma by Emily Greenlee, MD, John Fingert, MD, PhD and Young Kwon, MD, PhD is an online e-book being published one chapter at a time to help patients and doctors learn about the latest advancement, management, and treatment for glaucoma.