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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 10 - Keratoconus - Screening, surgery and saving sight

In this episode, we hear from a patient who was diagnosed with moderately advanced keratoconus and learn how the condition has affected his life. Michelle Hanratty then speaks with optometrist Yahya Vali about how keratoconus can be detected in routine practice and the key clinical signs that should raise suspicion.

In the second half of the episode, the discussion turns to referral pathways and treatment options for patients with keratoconus, along with essential insights into identifying the condition as early as possible.

Early keratoconic corneal changes can start before the age of ten, yet many at-risk individuals remain undiagnosed until the disease has progressed to a moderate stage. The only way to detect these patients early is through routine keratoconus screening during standard eye examinations in young people — a process that could be as simple as using an autorefractor. Hear more about the detection and management of keratoconus with Yahya and consultant ophthalmologist Damian Lake.

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: May 2021
Last reviewed: January 2022

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    Communication 

    s.2 Communicate effectively with patients

    • Able to elicit the detail and relevance of any significant symptoms relating to keratoconus. 
    • Able to explain the likely investigation and treatment of keratoconus.

    Clinical practice

    s.5 Keep your knowledge and skills up to date 

    • Able to interpret and investigate the presenting signs and symptoms of a patient with keratoconus. 

    s.6 Recognise and work within your limits of competence

    • Able to recognize when the management of a patient with keratoconus in a primary care setting is no longer appropriate and onward referral is indicated.

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

    • Able to develop a management plan within a primary care setting for the investigation of a patient with suspected keratoconus and interpret the results.  
    • Able to refract patients with suspected keratoconus by objective means and to interpret the diagnostic end point.

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      • Audio track

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      • Key Points

        • Case presentation from a patient that was diagnosed with moderately advanced keratoconus and subsequently underwent crosslinking and corneal transplantation
        • Advice from an optometrist on key signs and symptoms that raise the index of suspicion for keratoconus
        • Referral for keratoconus
        • Investigation and diagnosis of keratoconus with consultant ophthalmologist Mr Damian Lake
        • How crosslinking works
        • The treatment options available for advanced keratoconus
        • Harnessing technology to detect keratoconus early.
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