docet

No CPD Points

Dr Tom Margrain talks to Gwyneth Morgan about the development of a new Retinal densitometer for detecting age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

First published in DOCET OQ88 (2013).

Topics: AMD, Macula, Densitometer

No CPD Points

Susan Cowling asks community optometrist Simon Browning about autofluorescence in the eye, and the implications of the new imaging technology for a wide range of ocular health issues.

First published in DOCET OQ88 (2013).

Topics: Autofluorescence, Drusen, Lipofuscin, RPE

No CPD Points

Dr Dan Rosser discusses different methods of measuring visual acuity with David Cartwright, including the appropriate uses and associated difficulties of each.

First published in DOCET OQ88 (2013).

Topics: Snellen, logMAR, Acuity, Subjective, Refraction.

No CPD Points

This series takes a close look at the effects of our modern lifestyle on the eye, focusing on smoking, UV light exposure, nutrition and driving. This course discusses the major impact of smoking upon eye health and interviews three experts in the field of cessation to show how optometrists can play an important role in helping people access cessation services in the UK.

Topics: GP, Cessation, Primary care, Allied health professionals, Pharmacist, Dry eye, Newly qualified.

No CPD Points

This programme looks at the symptoms of flashes and floaters and provides guidance for optometrists on assessment and appropriate management of patients, including referral decisions.

Topics: Retinal detachment, Posterior vitreous detachment, Migraine, Schafer's sign, Tobacco dust, Dilation, Volk, Headset BIO, Referral, Slit lamp, Vitreous, Newly qualified.

Area of interest: MECS

No CPD Points

Communication skills are a vital part of your clinical practice. This course is a filmed workshop using skilled actors with an audience of real optometrists. It introduces different aspects of clinical communication and demonstrates how developing your knowledge and skills in communicating effectively with your patients will help you run a successful and safe optometric practice.

Topics: Advice, Verbal, Referral, Anxiety, Complaints, Questions, Language,  Recommendations, Psychology.

No CPD Points

It is essential that optometrists keep good clinical records, not only as part of good practice, but also because the GOC considers that failure to keep acceptable and adequate records constitutes impaired fitness to practice. This training resource aims to provide clear guidance for optometric practitioners in the art of good record keeping, and looks at what the serious implications can be when adequate records are not kept.

Topics: Record keeping, Referral, Legal, Retinal detachment, Flashes, Floaters, Fitness to practice, GOC, Communication.

No CPD Points

This case discusses a diabetic patient whose vision is below the driving standard. The optometrist has spotted him driving several times and is unsure about what course of action she should take.

Topics: Diabetic, Standards, Legal, Confidentiality, DVLA, Referral, Anxiety, Record keeping, Ageing.

No CPD Points

David Jones, 62 years, retired. This case discusses the examination of a patient with recent onset of floaters, particularly focusing on the quality of the record card.

Topics: Flashes, Retinal detachment, Visual fields, Legal, Loss of vision, Tonometry, Fundus, Vitreous, Posterior vitreous detachment PVD.

No CPD Points

Marian Short, 85 years, retired. This case discusses the examination of a patient with early dementia and cataracts possibly needing referring.

Topics: Ageing, Cataracts,  Referral,  Legal,  Confidentiality,  Consent, Communication,  vulnerable adults, Safeguarding, Record keeping, Visual assessment.

No CPD Points

Rahul Navamani, male dentist, 41 years. This case discusses various lifestyle requirements. Rahul requires advice for his work and sport.

Topics: Dispensing, Occupational, Lifestyle, Sports, Lenses, Eye protection, Injuries, Record keeping, Frames, Vocational, UV.

No CPD Points

Daisy Bergman, retired, 74 years. This case discusses a case of sudden, painless, unilateral loss of vision, partially resolving after a couple of minutes.

Topics: Neurological, TIA, Ischaemic, Anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (AION), Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA), Record keeping, Acute, Ageing, Vascular, Referral.

No CPD Points

This edition of Advances in Eyecare has interviews with experts discussing their fields of research applicable to optometric practice, including: electrophysiology, compact electrode ERG and OCT-angiography.

Topics: Electrophysiology, OCT angiography, Paediatric, Macular, Glaucoma, Vascular health.

No CPD Points

This series takes a close look at the effects of our modern lifestyle on the eye, focusing on smoking, UV light exposure, nutrition and driving. The aim of this course is to emphasise the link between poor nutrition and certain eye disorders and to establish how best to communicate accurate and relevant information.

Topics: Supplementation, Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Record keeping, Newly qualified.

No CPD Points

This series takes a close look at the effects of our modern lifestyle on the eye, focusing on smoking, UV light exposure, nutrition and driving. This course discusses the current legal requirement for driving, important new research highlighting both the visual and cognitive influences upon driving ability, and then reviews the legal responsibility of the optometrist when standards are not achieved.

Topics: Vision standards, Patient confidentiality, Data protection, Contrast sensitivity, Cognitive, Reaction times, DVLA, Class 1, Class 2, Visual fields, Acuity, Newly qualified.

No CPD Points

This course provides optometrists with instructions on managing patients presenting with acute onset symptoms in two key areas:

• Sudden loss of vision
• The painful red eye

It covers the presentation of each condition, what to look for during examination, differential diagnosis, referral steps, further clinical management and any red flag symptoms requiring immediate referral.

Topics: Ischaemic, Optic neuropathy, Retinal artery occlusion, Retinal vein occlusion, Haemorrhage, Ameurosis fugax, Posterior eye, Referral, Treatment, Acute, Anterior uveitis, Glaucoma, Keratitis, CLARE, Contact lenses, Scleritis, Trauma, Cellulitis, Referral, Anterior eye, Ocular disease.

Area of interest: MECS, Anterior eye conditions and acute presentations, Newly qualified, Acute presentation series.

No CPD Points

This course provides optometrists with instructions on managing patients presenting with acute onset symptoms in two key areas:

• Neurological problems
• Other problems eg papilloedema, giant cell arteritis, retinal detachments and blunt trauma

Acute Presentation guides optometrists through the presentation of each condition, what to look for during examination, differential diagnosis, referral steps, further clinical management and any red flag symptoms requiring immediate referral.

Topics: Papilloedema, Optic neuritis, Pupils, Visual fields, Palsy, Nerve, Diplopia, Acute, Treatment, Referral, Retinal detachment, Giant cell arteritis, Trauma, Ischaemic, TIA.

Area of interest: MECS, Anterior eye conditions and acute presentations, Newly qualified, Acute presentation series.

In this edition, we focus on advances in eye care technology, looking at recent innovations and how they help improve the diagnosis and management of ocular diseases.
 

Topics: Contact lenses, Keratitis, Disinfection, Care systems, Graphene, Compliance, Lens materials, Pathogens, Bacteria, Binocular vision, Eye movements, Tracking, Motility, Reading ability, Muscle balance, Objective assessment, Curtis Dobson, Polly Dulley, Philip Morgan, Bianca Price, David Thomson.

Area of interest: Independent Prescribing

No CPD Points

Using expert advice and insights, this course guides optometrists through all aspects of carrying out domiciliary eye examinations, including useful facts and tips on planning and arranging visits, effective communication, legal requirements, necessary equipment and adapting clinical techniques to meet the needs of patients being examined in their own homes or care homes.

Topics: Legal, Care home, Dementia, Communication, Safeguarding, Vulnerable adults, Lighting, Disability, Record keeping, Visual assessment.

No CPD Points

This programme looks at the various refractive correction options available for presbyopes. Through a mix of filmed patient scenarios and expert advice four areas are considered: spectacle frames and lenses, contact lenses, correction with intra-ocular lenses, and managing presbyopic patients following refractive laser surgery.

Topics: Ageing eye, Contact lenses, Spectacles, Dispensing, Refractive surgery, Intraocular lenses, Multifocal, Lenses, Tints, Presbyope, Frames.

No CPD Points

A comprehensive overview of Charles Bonnet syndrome, based on the latest research. Includes advice on identifying the condition, addressing the topic with patients, appropriate management steps and what can be done to help sufferers. 

Topics: AMD, Ageing eye, Low vision, Dementia, Hallucinations, Psychology, Vision loss, Dominic ffytche.

No CPD Points

This programme looks at the application of three advanced clinical investigative techniques and shows how to undertake and interpret van Herick technique,  the use of slit lamp and indirect lenses for assessment of the fundus and how to measure intraocular pressure using a contact technique.

Topics: Tonometry, Slit lamp, Gonioscopy, Volk, BIO, van Herick, IOP, Anaesthetic, Dilation, Goldmann, Glaucoma.

Area of interest: MECS

No CPD Points

This edition of Advances in Eyecare includes interviews with top academics considering the best way to interpret the published literature and evidence base that may influence the way we practice optometry. It introduces the new TFOS DEWS II report into dry eye disease. 

Topics: Dry eye disease, Cochrane, TFOS DEWS II, Omega 3, Craig, Bias, Literature review, Barrett, RCT, Critical appraisal tools.

Area of interest: Independent Prescribing

No CPD Points

In this programme experts look at how to adapt the routine eye check when examining elderly patients including communication, ocular examination and refraction. It provides guidance on techniques to use and how best to modify an examination to ensure that elderly patients get the highest level of care and their individual needs are addressed.

Topics: Communication, Ocular examination, Refraction, Binocular vision, Charts, Pupils, Visual fields, Legal, Visual assessment, Retinoscopy, Ophthalmoscopy, LogMAR, Contrast sensitivity, Lighting.

No CPD Points

This audio programme discusses the very latest in retinal screening techniques and focuses on techniques helping in the early detection of glaucoma, vascular changes, and neuronal degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.

Topics: Glaucoma, DARC, Alzheimer's Disease, Sight loss, Retina.

Area of interest: Independent Prescribing

No CPD Points

Epiretinal membrane is a thin layer of tissue which can grow over the surface of the retina and cause vision problems. Stephen Charles is a vitreoretinal surgeon at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, and talks to Ian Wallwork about the condition and its treatment.

Topics: Retina, Referral, Vitreoretinal, Micropsia, Visual loss, Visual impairment, Macropsia, Distortion, ERM, Amsler, OCT, Victrectomy.

No CPD Points

Tamoxifen had resurfaced in 2013 in the media because of NICE guidelines which approve the drug for prescription not only to patients with a diagnosis, but also to those at high risk of developing breast cancer. Polly Dulley and Philip Morgan discuss the clinical impact that the NICE guidelines may have on optometrists.

Topics: Drugs, Breast cancer, OAR, NICE, Ocular adverse reactions, Corneal deposits, Dry eye, Retinal crystals, Macular.

No CPD Points

The initial results of Age‐Related Eye Disease Study 2, or AREDS 2, were announced in May 2013. In this interview Hugh Breakspear speaks to John Lawrenson, Professor of Clinical Optometry at City University, about AREDS 2 and discusses the implications of the reported findings for optometrists and patients.

Topics: AMD, Supplements, Vitamins, Diet, Minerals, Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Omega-3, Macular degeneration.

No CPD Points

Lucentis, previously used to treat Wet AMD, has recently been licensed by NICE for the treatment of diabetic maculopathy – a complication of diabetes that affects the macular. Clare Bailey talks to Fiona Grey about diabetic maculopathy and the prospects for its treatment with this new indication.

Topics: Diabetes, Macular, Anti-VEGF, Ranibizumab, Oedema, Retinopathy, Ischaemia, Laser, Haemorrhage, Visual loss.

No  CPD Points

The UK National Screening Committee (NSC) policy recommends that all children aged four to five should have their vision checked in an orthoptic-led service. With the rise of vision screening software in the UK, Shail Patel talks to Professor David Thompson about products that may be of use in screening children. 

Topics: Orthoptist, Paediatrics, Software, Computer, logMAR, Refractive error, Spectacles, Children.

No CPD Points

Migraine is a condition which affects 12-15% of the UK adult population. Attacks can be debilitating, and can affect or be triggered by vision. For this reason, migraine patients sometimes consult optometrists. Anita Shah talks to Professor Bruce Evans about the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of the condition. 

Topics: Headaches, Flashes, Visual aura, Retinal, Visual loss, Photophobia, Neurological, Triggers, Colourimeter, Tinted lenses.

No CPD Points

Adam Wannell talks to Michael Johnson about papilloedema. Many patients with papilloedema first present to their optometrist, and, although relatively rare, optometrists working in the community have a very important role in the early identification and correct management of this condition.

Topics: Optic nerve, Disc margin, Swollen, Intracranial pressure, Referral, Emergency, Tumour, Trauma, Haemorrhages, Headache, Nausea, Neurological.

No CPD Points

In the UK, about 4-500 children every year are diagnosed with brain tumours. In this interview, David Cartwright, talks to Professor David Walker, a Paediatric Oncologist at the University of Nottingham, and Clinical Lead of the HeadSmart campaign about the role optometrists can play in identifying these children.

Topics: Headsmart, Cancer, Referral, Intracranial pressure, Headaches, Vomiting, Amblyopia, Squint, Nystagmus, Eye movements.

No CPD Points

Polly Dulley talks to Gus Gazzard, a consultant specializing in glaucoma and cataracts at Moorfields, about normal tension glaucoma. This item is split into two parts: the first part focuses on how the disease differs from other forms of glaucoma, the second part is about treatment options.

Topics: Blind, Visual impairment, IOP, Intraocular pressure, Optic nerve, Neuropathy, Low tension, Treatment, NTG, Disc, Vascular.

No CPD Points

One in five adults habitually smoke - representing a significant part of any optometrist’s patient pool. Susan Cowling talks to Steven Meynell about the range of eye conditions caused and exacerbated by smoking, and how optometrists can deal with the issues raised.

Topics: Lifestyle, Disease, Dry eye, AMD, Macular degeneration, Thyroid, Cataract, Nicotine, Meibomian, Lacrimal.

No CPD Points

The pre-ocular tear film (POTF) is an important measure of the health of the surface of the eye. There are a number of pre-existing techniques for the assessment of the POTF, and one of the less well-known ones is the tear ferning test. In this interview, Helen Tilly talks to Dr Christine Purslow about tear ferning and its application in research and clinical diagnosis.

Topics: Tear film, Dry eye, POTF, Contact lens, Ocular surface, Mucous, Meniscus, Microscope, Protein, Electrolytes, Patterns, Grading scale.

No CPD Points

Deborah Lea asks Victor Chong about the diagnosis, progression, prognosis, and treatment of Retinal Vein Occlusion. 

Topics: RVO, Visual impairment, Branch, Hypertension, Diabetes, Referral, Oedema, Visual loss, Central, Blood vessel, Artery, Glaucoma.

No CPD Points

This two-part interview details developments being made in the field of subretinal implant technology. Deborah Lea talks to Robert MacLaren about the clinical trials he is running of the subretinal implants developed by the German company Retina Implant AG.

Topics: Retina, Retinitis pigmentosa, Macular degeneration, AMD, Visual impairment, Electronic, Partial sight, Camera, Photosensitive.