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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.

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.

Domains: Clinical practice, Communication

In this episode, Michelle speaks with a highly myopic patient as well as a parent of highly myopic children about myopia’s impact on lifestyle and ocular health, and their hopes and fears for the future. We also hear from Kathryn Webber about recent myopia management research, advancements and guidance.

Topics: Myopia management, High myopia, Risk factors for myopia, Communication, Pathological myopia.

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.

Closing Date: 31 December 2024

Domains: Clinical practice, Communication

In this episode, we hear from the assistant headteacher and sensory impairment lead of a SEN primary school about the impact of visual dysfunction on SEN children. Michelle then speaks to Professor Rachel Pilling, delving into the potentially daunting task of carrying out an eye examination on children with SEN and providing valuable hints, tips and resources to better equip optometrists and lay the foundations to lifelong eyecare for SEN children. 

Topics: SEN, Special educational needs, Paediatric eyecare, Eye examinations, Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI).

Closing Date: 31 December 2024

Domains: Communication, Professionalism

In this episode, presenter Michelle Hanratty is joined by Paramdeep Bilku, Clinical Advisor for the College of Optometrists, and IP optometrist Alan Hawrami in discussing the basic principles of evidence-based practice in optometry: What evidence is needed, where it can be found and why it is important.

Topics: Evidence-based practice, Informed consent, Blue blocking lenses, Myopia management, Dry age related macular degeneration, Photo biomodulation treatment, Intense pulsed light treatment.

In this episode of Sound Optometry, we hear of a scenario where a sixth nerve palsy was detected in an urgent remote consultation with an elderly patient. We also explore methods that optometrists have at their disposal to detect and manage binocular vision problems in children.

Topics: Binocular vision assessment, Examining children, Amblyopia, Strabismus, Squint, Incommitant, Convergence insufficiency, Exercises, Ocular Motility, Stereopsis, Prisms, Double vision, Orthoptics, Referrals.

Closing Date: 31 December 2024

Domains: Communication, Clinical Practice

Listening to this episode, where presenter Michelle speaks to Professor Omar Mahroo, a consultant ophthalmologist and Professor Rob Henderson, a consultant paediatric ophthalmologist, gives optometrists an update as to where the research and development of gene therapy currently stands, as well as an understanding of who might benefit from referral for diagnosis.

Topics:  Gene therapy, Inherited retinal disease, Communication, Clinical trials, Retinitis pigmentosa, Leber congenital amourosis.  

Closing Date: 31 December 2024

Domains: Communication, Clinical Practice

In this episode, Michelle Hanratty discusses the vision standards for safety-critical occupations with Professor John Barbur, who has developed a sophisticated colour vision test that is widely used to grade the severity of colour vision deficiency. We also hear from Ian Trimmer, who provides an insight into communicating bad news and why vision can be a particularly sensitive topic. 

Topics: Occupational vision standards, Driving and vision, Colour vision testing, Colour vision deficiency, Communication, Breaking bad news.