General
Domains: Communication, 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 41 - Gene Therapy: Now and in the future
Retinal disease from a single gene is rare, but diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration involve multiple genes. Research into gene therapy has come a long way but there is still more to discover. Listening to this podcast will give optometrists an update on the research and development of gene therapies and an understanding of who might benefit from referral for diagnosis.
The podcast begins with Michelle Hanratty speaking to Professor Omar Mahroo, a consultant ophthalmologist and retinal specialist at Moorfields Eye and St Thomas’ Hospitals in London. He explains the principles of gene therapy, what the research has delivered and where it still needs to go. Professor Mahroo gives an update on what gene therapies are currently available or are emerging.
We then hear from Professor Rob Henderson, a consultant paediatric ophthalmologist and vitreoretinal surgeon at Great Ormond Street and Moorfields Eye Hospitals. Involved in the research and delivery of gene therapies, Professor Henderson provides a fascinating insight into the challenges and rewards of these treatments as well as a glimpse of what the future holds.
An additional reading element consolidates the learning on this topic.
Once you have listened to the podcast in Unit 1 and looked at the required reading in Unit 2 you can complete the CPD quiz to gain one non-interactive CPD point.
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 2024
Last reviewed: April 2025