Course: Sound Optometry: Episode 30 - Glaucoma: ISNT it suspicious?

Section

General

Domains: Clinical practice, Communication

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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 30 - Glaucoma: ISNT it suspicious?

Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) is a chronic disease which is asymptomatic in its early stages. This podcast starts with a patient case study where a suspicious visual field result during an eye examination led to Rajiv Mittal being referred for an investigation. He relates how his diagnosis of glaucoma was unexpected and how his glaucoma is currently being managed. We then hear from Patrick Gunn, the hospital optometrist who now manages Rajiv's case. He reflects on how his professional development and training has led to a specialist qualification in Glaucoma and being able to both treat and co-manage patients.

The second part of the podcast answers some of the questions asked by Glaucoma - The optic disc challenge webinar attendees and delves into optic disc interpretation in detail. Presenter Michelle Hanratty and Patrick discuss the early signs to look out for in glaucomatous discs when using fundoscopy and OCT.

An additional reading element consolidates the learning on this topic.

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 2023
Last reviewed: March 2024

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Learning outcomes

Clinical Practice

s. 5 Keep your knowledge and skills up to date

Able to assess the optic disc and know the signs indicating glaucoma.

s. 6 Recognise, and work within, your limits of competence

Understand when a patient needs to be referred to a glaucoma specialist for further investigation.

Communication

s.2 Communicate effectively with patients

Able to explain the outcomes of a clinical test or examination to a patient so that they understand why a referral for further investigation for glaucoma is indicated.
Able to explain the patient referral pathway for glaucoma as well as the investigations that are likely to be carried out in an outpatient clinic.

Unit 1 - Glaucoma audio track (~27 min)

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
A glaucoma diagnosis – a patient perspective
Communicating the need for referral
Explaining glaucoma to patients
Key changes in optic disc appearance in glaucoma
ISNT rule
Use of OCT in glaucoma assessment
Management of glaucoma
Specialist optometrist role in glaucoma.

Unit 2 - Required reading (~25 min)

More information

References
URL1. College of Optometrists. Clinical Management Guidelines. Glaucoma (Chronic open angle) (COAG). [Accessed Jun 2023] URL Opens in a new window.
URL2. NICE (2017) Glaucoma: diagnosis and management. NICE guideline [NG81]. [Accessed Jun 2023] URL Opens in a new window.
URL3. College of Optometrists. Glaucoma. Management in practice (members only). [Accessed Jun 2023] URL Opens in a new window.
Docet would like to thank the following for their contribution to this programme:
Mr Patrick (Paddy) Gunn - Principal Optometrist Education and Training, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital.

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