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General

Sound Optometry


Domains: Clinical practice, Communication

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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 12 - Anterior Ocular Lesions - Benign or malignant? Change is significant!

In this episode, we hear from Deborah, a patient diagnosed with conjunctival melanoma, as she recounts her journey from her initial visit to the optometrist through to successful treatment at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital Oncology Unit. 

Michelle Hanratty then speaks with Professor Heinrich Heimann, consultant ophthalmic surgeon, about lesions of the ocular surface and anterior chamber. Their discussion covers how to recognise key signs of potentially malignant lesions, identify associated risk factors and determine when to monitor or refer patients, including the timelines involved in the patient journey. The episode also explores investigation and treatment approaches, concluding with a powerful reminder about the importance of photographing anterior surface lesions. 

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: July 2021
Last reviewed: May 2026

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    Communication

    s.2 Communicate effectively with patients 

    • Able to explain the implications of an anterior ocular lesion to the patient. 

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

    • Able to encourage patients to ask questions and take active part in the decisions made about the monitoring and/or management of their anterior eye lesion. 

    Clinical practice

    s.5 Keep your knowledge and skills up to date 

    • Able to identify the key features of anterior ocular lesions and offer appropriate advice to patients not requiring referral. 
    • Able to recognise abnormal anterior ocular lesions and refer when appropriate. 

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

    • Understand how to provide or arrange further investigations or treatment for a suspicious anterior ocular lesion.  
    • Knowledge about the relative urgency of referral so that the timescale that does not compromise patient safety and care.

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      • Audio track

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      • Key Points

        • Case study presentation featuring a patient who has successfully undergone treatment for a conjunctival melanoma
        • Advice from an expert on the key signs that could indicate if a lesion is more likely to be malignant
        • Risk factors associated with anterior ocular lesions
        • Taking a pertinent history from a patient with a suspicious lesion. 
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