Course: Sound Optometry: Episode 12 - Anterior Ocular Lesions, Section: Learning outcomes

General

Domains: Clinical practice, Communication

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 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: January 2022

Learning outcomes

Communication

s.2 Communicate effectively with patients

Understand how to explain to the patient the implications of their anterior ocular lesion.

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

Understand how to encourage patients to ask questions and take an 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

Understand how to identify anterior ocular lesions and offers appropriate advice to patients not requiring referral.
Understand how to recognise abnormal anterior ocular lesions and refers 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. This should be done in a timescale that does not compromise patient safety and care.