No CPD Points
In this episode, we explore how patients with ocular allergy seek clinical advice and treatment. We hear from a community pharmacist, often the first port of call for allergy sufferers, before discussing ocular allergy in more detail with Dr Peter Frampton.
Topics: Allergic conjunctivitis, Seasonal and perennial allergy, Topical medications and contact lenses, Effective history taking, Remote consultations, Allergy vs adverse reaction.
Area of interest: Independent prescribing.
No CPD Points
In this episdoe, we hear about a clinical scenario where papilloedema was detected in a young girl. Michelle Hanratty then discusses the topic of papilloedema, its presentation, causes and potential treatment with consultant neuro-ophthalmologist Naz Raoof.
Topics: Communication, Neuro-ophthalmology, Optic disc anomalies, Papilloedema, OCT.
Area of interest: MECS.
No CPD Points
In this episode, Michelle is joined by Consultant Vitreo-Retinal Surgeon Stephen Lash and Clinical and Regulatory Advisor for the Association of Optometrists (AOP) Roshni Kanabar to discuss how to manage suspected retinal detachment.
Topics: Retinal tear, Retinal detachment, Flashes and floaters, Posterior vitreous detachment, Record keeping, Communication, Referrals.
No CPD Points
In this episode, optometrist Robert Longhurst discusses the increased incidence of viral conjunctivitis-related red eye during the COVID-19 lockdown of Spring 2020. Consultant Ophthalmologist David Lockington explores the investigation and management of acute red eye.
Topics: Red eye, Viral conjunctivitis, Microbial keratitis, Contact lens complications, Independent prescribing, Emergency referrals.
No CPD Points
In this episode, Michelle Hanratty explores the referral, investigation and management of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with consultant ophthalmologist Rupal Morjaria.
Topics: Medical retina, Age-related macular degeneration, Referrals, Retinitis pigmentosa, Patient communication, Gene therapy.
No CPD Points
In this episode, Michelle speaks with consultant ophthalmologist Arijit Mitra about his personal experience with cataract. We also hear from Ajai Tyagi, who shares his insights from a surgical perspective. The episode wraps up with valuable advice from both surgeons on referral practices and postoperative care for cataract patients.
Topics: Cataract, Referrals, Patient communication, Monovision.
No CPD Points
In this episode, we explore a clinical case in which idiopathic intracranial hypertension resulted in severe visual symptoms and bilateral optic disc swelling. Michelle then discusses the key features of papilloedema, including its presentation, underlying causes and differential diagnoses, with neuro-ophthalmologist Dr Denize Atan. The second part of the episode focuses on the unilateral causes of optic disc swelling, offering a deeper understanding of how they differ from bilateral presentations.
Topics: Optic disc drusen, Optic disc swelling, Optic neuritis, Optic neuropathy, Papilloedema, Referrals.
No CPD Points
Domains: Clinical practice, Communication
In this episode, Michelle Hanratty talks to Optometrist Yahya Vali about the detection of keratoconus in routine practice and discusses the referral and treatment options for keratoconic patients with Consultant Ophthalmologist Damian Lake, as well as some key information about detecting keratoconus as early as possible.
Topics: Keratoconus, Crosslinking, Corneal transplant, Retinoscopy, Keratometry, Referrals, Corneal Topography.
No CPD Points
Domains: Clinical practice, Professionalism
In this episode, Michelle Hanratty explores the risk of glaucoma being undetected in those patients that have undergone laser vision correction with consultant ophthalmologist Imran Masood. Paddy Gunn, hospital optometrist, explains how to approach borderline cases to ensure appropriate referral and how to reassure patients that have not had their routine glaucoma monitoring appointments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Topics: Glaucoma, Referrals, Intraocular pressure, Laser vision correction.
No CPD Points
Domains: Clinical practice, Professionalism
In this episode, Michelle Hanratty discusses the presentation and optometric management of vitreomacular disorders that may be encountered in everyday practice with Mr Kam Balaggan, consultant vitreoretinal and cataract surgeon. Further investigation of epiretinal membranes, vitreomacular traction and macula holes are explored along with key considerations for referral urgency.
Topics: Vitreomacular conditions, OCT, Epiretinal membrane, Vitreomacular traction, Macula holes, Referrals.
No CPD Points
Domains: Clinical Practice, Professionalism
In this episode, Michelle Hanratty discusses sudden loss of vision with hospital optometrists Helen Wilson and Amanda Harding, including the presentation and optometric management of retinal vascular occlusions, differential diagnosis, appropriate triage and referrals. The episode concludes with the clinical signs optometrists need to look out for when examining a patient with a history of a vascular occlusion.
Topics: Sudden loss of vision, Retinal artery occlusion, Retail vein occlusion, Giant Cell Arteritis, Arteritic ischaemic optic neuropathy, Amaurosis Fugax, Stroke.
No CPD Points
Domains: Clinical Practice, Communication
In this episode, Michelle Hanratty discusses the presentation and optometric management of both posterior and anterior uveitis with Professor Alastair Denniston and his colleague Dr Balini Balasubramaniam.
Topics: Painful red eye, Ocular inflammation, Anterior uveitis, Posterior uveitis, Iritis, Punctate inner choroidopathy, Secondary glaucoma, Secondary cataract.
No CPD Points
Domains: Clinical Practice, Communication, Specialty CPD (IP)
In this episode, Michelle Hanratty discusses corneal and ocular surface disease in children, including vernal keratoconjunctivitis and blepharokeratoconjunctivitis, with Mr Michael O’Gallagher.
Topics: Red eye, Ocular inflammation, Blepharitis, Conjunctivitis, Keratitis, Ocular allergy, Paediatric corneal disease, Independent prescribing.
No CPD Points
Domains: Clinical Practice, Professionalism, Specialty CPD (IP)
In this episode, Michelle Hanratty discusses the presentation, differential diagnosis and management of malignant and benign eyelid lesions with Mr Raman Malhotra, consultant ophthalmic surgeon and expert in oculoplastics.
Topics: Eyelid lesions, Eyelid carcinomas, Chalazion, Molluscum contagiosum, Xanthelasma, Independent prescribing, Cancer, Referrals.
No CPD Points
Domains: Clinical Practice, Professionalism, Specialty CPD (IP)
In this episode we hear from David about his journey with dry eye disease, its effect on his career and his mental health, and how his optometrist and specialist dry eye practitioner Sarah Farrant managed it. Professor Sai Kolli from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham then joins Michelle Hanratty to explain how optometrists in the community can help prevent patients from getting to the stages of severe dry eye disease.
Topics: Mental health, Well-being, Communication, Side effects, Systemic drugs, Dry eye, Meibomian gland dysfunction, Ocular surface inflammation, Independent prescribing.
No CPD Points
Domains: Clinical practice, Professionalism
In this episode, Janice McCrudden talks to host Michelle Hanratty about the stark reality of hydroxychloroquine retinopathy when it is discovered too late. We hear about the patient and optometrist experience of a pilot monitoring scheme in Wales, before Michelle explores the toxicity effects of hydroxychloroquine with Consultant Ophthalmologist Rhianon Reynolds.
Topics: Medical retina, Hydroxychloroquine toxicity, Retinopathy, Maculopathy, Referrals, Monitoring pathways, Autoimmune disease.
No CPD Points
Domains: Clinical practice, Communication
In this episode we first hear a patient case study; later, Patrick Gunn reflects on how his professional development and training has led to a specialist qualification in glaucoma. The second part of the podcast answers some of the questions asked by the glaucoma webinar attendees and delves into optic disc interpretation in detail. Presenter Michelle Hanratty and Patrick discuss the early signs to look out for in glaucomatous discs and how these relate to other findings such as OCT and visual fields.
Topics: Glaucoma, Referrals, Intraocular pressure, Monitoring pathways, Optic disc, OCT, Visual fields.
No CPD Points
Domains: Clinical practice
In this episode, we hear about England’s diabetic retinopathy screening programme, with a 'fly on the wall' recording of a screening appointment within the NHS. Dr Cathy Egan explains how AI systems work and reveals how the potential of AI will improve services to the public and increase research capability. We then hear from consultant ophthalmologist Sajjad Mahmood about current treatments for patients at risk of vision loss.
Topics: Glaucoma, Referrals, Intraocular pressure, Monitoring pathways, Optic disc, OCT, Visual fields.
No CPD Points
Domains: Clinical practice, Communication
In this episode, Michelle speaks with Dr David Lockington about how to get the balance right when explaining the risks and benefits of cataract surgery to patients. The consent process is explored in depth and David shares a surgeon’s insight into the risks that make a cataract surgery more complex, but not necessarily complicated. The second part of the podcast concentrates on postoperative complications and the importance of setting patient expectations prior to surgery.
Topics: Cataract surgery, Consent, Cataract complications, Intraocular lenses, Patient care pathways, Communication.
No CPD Points
Domains: Clinical practice, Communication
This episode provides a fly on the wall account of a typical YAG laser procedure. Michelle speaks with specialist optometrists Steven Burge and Don Williams, who reflect on their experiences of the training they underwent to be able to perform key ophthalmic laser techniques before moving on to discuss how they have honed their techniques with experience.
Topics: Cataract postoperative complications, Posterior capsular opacification, Consent, YAG capsulotomy, Patient care pathways, Glaucoma, Ocular hypertension, Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT), Ophthalmic lasers, Glaucoma treatment, NICE.