General

Sound Optometry


Domains: Clinical practice

No CPD Points

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 31 - Diabetic retinopathy screening and treatment

The diabetic retinopathy screening service in England has been hugely successful since its implementation twenty years ago. This podcast episode starts with a 'fly on the wall' recording of a real screening appointment within the NHS. Dr Cathy Egan then explains how AI systems work and reveals how the potential of AI will improve services to the public and increase research capability.

We then hear about the current treatments that are used to treat patients that have been identified as being at risk of vision loss from consultant ophthalmologist Sajjad Mahmood. Treatments for peripheral retinopathy as well as for diabetic macula oedema are explained. 

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: July 2023
Last reviewed: June 2024

    Learning outcomes

    Clinical Practice

    s.5 Keep your knowledge and skills up to date

    • Able to assess and recognise the signs indicating diabetic retinopathy.
    • Know the current treatments that are available for patients with diabetic retinopathy.

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

    • Recognise when a diabetic patient needs to be referred to the hospital eye service for further investigation.

      Unit 1 - Diabetic retinopathy audio track (~27 min)