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Sound Optometry


Domains: Clinical Practice, Professionalism

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Welcome to Docet’s podcast Sound Optometry, hosted by Michelle Hanratty, an IP optometrist with 20 years’ experience on the high street and in hospital. Each month, with case studies and in-depth conversations, we will be exploring topics that matter the most to you as optometrists and are relevant for everyday practice.


Episode 20: Sudden loss of vision – Time is sight!

The podcast starts with an interview featuring a patient who suffered a sudden loss of vision and presented to her local casualty unit. Michelle Hanratty then talks about the presentation and optometric management of retinal vascular occlusions with hospital optometrists Helen Wilson and Amanda Harding. They discuss differential diagnosis including arteritic ischaemic optic neuropathy, followed by appropriate triage along with key considerations for referral urgency whilst considering local pathways. The episode concludes with the clinical signs optometrists need to look out for when examining a patient with a history of a vascular occlusion.

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.

Last published: March 2023

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    Professionalism

    s.10 Work collaboratively with colleagues in the interests of patients

    • Able to work with practice team to effectively triage patients that present with sudden loss of vision.
    • Work with other medical practitioners including GP’s and hospital eye care units to ensure effective and efficient patient care.

    Clinical practice

    s.5 Keep your knowledge and skills up to date

    • Recognise the signs and symptoms of a retinal vascular occlusion and of Arteritic ischaemic optic neuropathy.

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

    • Able to carry out appropriate clinical examinations relevant to a patient presenting with a sudden loss of vision.
    • Able to refer a patient presenting with sudden loss of vision via the appropriate care pathway to ensure efficient investigation, diagnosis and treatment.

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      • Audio track

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      • Key Points
        • Patient case study of branch artery occlusion
        • Clinical signs of retinal vascular occlusion
        • Discussion of emergency pathways for both eyecare and cardiovascular health
        • Differential diagnosis for sudden loss of vision
        • Giant Cell Arteritis signs, symptoms and referral urgency.
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