Course: Sound Optometry: Episode 1

Section

General

Domains: Communication, Clinical Practice, Specialty CPD (IP)

No CPD Points

Welcome to Sound Optometry, a podcast from Docet hosted by Michelle Hanratty, an IP optometrist with over 20 years’ experience in both high street and hospital settings. Each month, through case studies and in-depth conversations, we explore the topics that matter most to you as an optometrist and are relevant to everyday practice.

Episode 1 - Ocular allergies

In the first episode, we hear first from a community pharmacist who discusses the approach he takes when dealing with patients who complain of ocular allergy, as well as managing the expectations of patients that have been to see their optometrist. Podcast host Michelle Hanratty and optometrist Dr Peter Frampton discuss the topic of ocular allergy, and in particular, seasonal allergic conjunctivitis and its presentation and potential treatment.

Subscribe to the series on your preferred podcast player so you don’t miss an episode. You can access all episodes of Sound Optometry here.

First published: June 2020
Last reviewed: November 2025

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Learning outcomes

Communication

s.1 Listen to patients and ensure they are at the heart of decisions made about their care

Able to elicit the detail and relevance of any significant symptoms relating to ocular allergy.

Clinical Practice

s.7 Conduct appropriate assessments, examinations, treatments and referrals

Able to interpret and investigate the presenting symptoms of a patient with ocular allergy.

Specialty CPD (IP)

Knowledge about the prescribing options for ocular allergy, including no treatment, non-pharmacological interventions, and medicines usage.

Unit 1 - Ocular allergies audio track (~27 mins)

Audio track
Please listen to the podcast available here or through your preferred podcast listening app. Select the blue arrow at the bottom of the player to access various podcast apps.
Key Points
Approaches when dealing with ocular allergy complaints
The need to have a safety net of referral to the GP or optometrist.
Benefits of written communication for mediation requests or prescribing
Presenting symptoms and signs of ocular allergy
Potential differential diagnoses and how to eliminate them
Effective treatments of ocular allergy.

Unit 2 - Required reading (~25 min)

More information

References
URLKatelaris C (2020) Ocular Allergy. World Allergy Organization [Accessed Apr 2026] URL Opens in a new window.
Kam K, Chen L, Wat N, Young A (2017) Topical Olopatadine in the Treatment of Allergic Conjunctivitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Ocul Immunol Inflamm; 25(5), pp 663‐677
Docet would like to thank the following for their contribution to this programme:

Dr Peter Frampton, community based independent prescribing optometrist and honorary lecturer at Manchester University

Mr Dharmesh Shah, Clinical Pharmacist and independent prescriber.