No CPD Points
Following on from our previous referrals special, this programme aims to show how pathways are developing at both national and local level and includes interviews with key players in developing new approaches to primary care management of eye disease.
Topics: Referral, NICE, Cataracts, AMD, Glaucoma, Local protocol, Emergency, Urgent, Fast-track, Record keeping, Secondary care, Refinement, Filtering, Ocular hypertension, NHS contracted services.
Area of interest: MECS
No CPD Points
This audio programme discusses three areas where recent developments may improve the detection and management of ocular disease - namely selective laser trabeculoplasty treatment, high energy light impulse therapy and macular pigment screening.
Topics: Glaucoma, Ocular hypertension, Laser treatment, Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT), Therapeutic management, Specialist glaucoma services, Dry eye disease, Lid margin therapy, Meibomian gland dysfunction, Telangiectasia, Intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment, Macular pigments, Maculopathy, Macular degeneration, Pigment density, Haidinger's brushes, Macular screening.
No CPD Points
The initial results of Age‐Related Eye Disease Study 2, or AREDS 2, were announced in May 2013. In this interview Hugh Breakspear speaks to John Lawrenson, Professor of Clinical Optometry at City University, about AREDS 2 and discusses the implications of the reported findings for optometrists and patients.
Topics: AMD, Supplements, Vitamins, Diet, Minerals, Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Omega-3, Macular degeneration.
No CPD Points
Rupert Bourne has been raising awareness about a form of Glaucoma especially common in East Asia. Here he compares the disease to other forms of Glaucoma and discusses the treatment options.
Topics: CAG, Open angle, Gonioscopy, POAG, Neuropathy, Optic nerve, Blind, Visual impairment, Asia.
No CPD Points
Paul Constable talks to Philip Morgan about the different forms of ASD and about how the condition can make it difficult for patients to receive an eye examination. Paul and Philip discuss best practice principles optometrists can follow and ways in which clearer guidance can be given to optometrists in future.
Topics: Disability, Autism, Gaze, Asperger's syndrome, Communication, Language, Eye movements, Saccades, Convergence.
No CPD Points
In the UK, about 4-500 children every year are diagnosed with brain tumours. In this interview, David Cartwright, talks to Professor David Walker, a Paediatric Oncologist at the University of Nottingham, and Clinical Lead of the HeadSmart campaign about the role optometrists can play in identifying these children.
Topics: Headsmart, Cancer, Referral, Intracranial pressure, Headaches, Vomiting, Amblyopia, Squint, Nystagmus, Eye movements.
No CPD Points
A dermatologist discusses the adverse ocular side effects of anti-malarial medications used to treat autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and the duty of care regarding adnexal and facial skin lesions.
First published in DOCET OQ91 (2014).
Topics: Drugs, Malignant, Skin lesions, Adnexa.
No CPD Points
In this update on diabetes and diabetic retinopathy Simon O’Neill outlines the current situation in the UK and Philip Morgan and Mr Robin Hamilton discuss the risk factors for developing retinopathy, and how the existing care system operates.
First published in DOCET OQ92 (2015).
Topics: Diabetic, Retinopathy, Vision loss, Visual impairment, Treatment, Proliferative, Screening, Maculopathy.
No CPD Points
A look at two new technologies aimed at improving diabetic detection and management: the first could enhance current screening techniques, the second may help monitor existing conditions.
First published in DOCET OQ92 (2015).
Topics: Diabetic, Retinopathy, Vision loss, Visual impairment, Proliferative, Screening, Lens, Autofluorescence, 'Smart lens'.
No CPD Points
Professor Harminder Dua discusses his groundbreaking discovery of the existence of a new corneal layer and its implications in optometry with Gordon Carson.
First published in DOCET OQ90 (2014).
Topics: Cornea, Collagen, Glaucoma.
No CPD Points
One in five adults habitually smoke - representing a significant part of any optometrist’s patient pool. Susan Cowling talks to Steven Meynell about the range of eye conditions caused and exacerbated by smoking, and how optometrists can deal with the issues raised.
Topics: Lifestyle, Disease, Dry eye, AMD, Macular degeneration, Thyroid, Cataract, Nicotine, Meibomian, Lacrimal.
No CPD Points
Epilepsy Action is a member-led organisation which raises awareness about the condition and provides advice to healthcare professionals. Bob Wilkes interviews Shelley Wagstaff about issues for optometrists to consider when dealing with patients with epilepsy.
Topics: Seizure, Brain, Trauma, Stroke, Infection, Photosensitive, Recovery.
No CPD Points
Epiretinal membrane is a thin layer of tissue which can grow over the surface of the retina and cause vision problems. Stephen Charles is a vitreoretinal surgeon at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, and talks to Ian Wallwork about the condition and its treatment.
Topics: Retina, Referral, Vitreoretinal, Micropsia, Visual loss, Visual impairment, Macropsia, Distortion, ERM, Amsler, OCT, Victrectomy.
No CPD Points
In this interview, Polly Dulley asks Professor Rupert Bourne about the implications of the findings of a study of the worldwide causes of vision loss and how they relate to UK optometrists.
First published in DOCET OQ89 (2014).
Topics: Blindness, Incidence, Global, Causes
No CPD Points
An examination of the evidence around claims of potential harm caused by blue light from mobile and computer screens.
First published in DOCET OQ91 (2014).
Topics: Computers, Blue light, Photoreceptors, Retina, Macula degeneration, Circadian rhythms, Sleep, Lenses, Sunglasses, Lighting, Phones, Tablets.
No CPD Points
PSP is a neurodegenerative disorder which has devastating effects on a person’s motor system robbing them of their independence. Here Kathy Miller-Hunt talks to David Bull about PSP and the importance of increasing awareness among optometrists.
Topics: Palsy, Neurodegenerative, Supranuclear, Visual disturbance, Motor system, PSP, Neurological disease, Eye movements, Diplopia, Eye movements, Saccades.
No CPD Points
Migraine is a condition which affects 12-15% of the UK adult population. Attacks can be debilitating, and can affect or be triggered by vision. For this reason, migraine patients sometimes consult optometrists. Anita Shah talks to Professor Bruce Evans about the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of the condition.
Topics: Headaches, Flashes, Visual aura, Retinal, Visual loss, Photophobia, Neurological, Triggers, Colourimeter, Tinted lenses.
No CPD Points
Polly Dulley talks to Gus Gazzard, a consultant specializing in glaucoma and cataracts at Moorfields, about normal tension glaucoma. This item is split into two parts: the first part focuses on how the disease differs from other forms of glaucoma, the second part is about treatment options.
Topics: Blind, Visual impairment, IOP, Intraocular pressure, Optic nerve, Neuropathy, Low tension, Treatment, NTG, Disc, Vascular.
No CPD Points
Tamoxifen had resurfaced in 2013 in the media because of NICE guidelines which approve the drug for prescription not only to patients with a diagnosis, but also to those at high risk of developing breast cancer. Polly Dulley and Philip Morgan discuss the clinical impact that the NICE guidelines may have on optometrists.
Topics: Drugs, Breast cancer, OAR, NICE, Ocular adverse reactions, Corneal deposits, Dry eye, Retinal crystals, Macular.
No CPD Points
Stephen Lash, a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at University Hospital Southampton, talks about the cosmetic use of bimatoprost glaucoma eye drops and what advice optometrists should give to patients aiming to benefit from the lash enhancing side effects.
First published in DOCET OQ90 (2014).
Topics: Drugs, Eye drops, Glaucoma, Prostaglandin Analogues, Bimatoprost, Eyelashes.