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No CPD Points

Susan Cowling talks to Dr Keziah Latham about her research into whether a patient’s success with low vision aids can be accurately predicted from standardized assessments of current vision levels and the spectacle strength.

Topics: LVA, Visual impairment, Magnifier, Telescope, Spectacles, Prescription, Reading, Magnification, Near, Electronia.

No CPD Points

Rupert Bourne has been raising awareness about a form of Glaucoma especially common in East Asia. Here he compares the disease to other forms of Glaucoma and discusses the treatment options. 

Topics: CAG, Open angle, Gonioscopy, POAG, Neuropathy, Optic nerve, Blind, Visual impairment, Asia.

No CPD Points

This discussion is on the subject of an electronic referral system that has radically sped up the referral process for optometrists in Fife. Olivia’s first interview is with Dr Roshini Sanders who has been involved with the development of the system, she then speaks to Colin Ferrier, one of the first optometrists to use the system in his practice.

Topics: Hospital, GP, Ophthalmologist, Images, Clinic, Urgent, Emergency, Routine, Paperless, Photo, Consultant.

No CPD Points

Paul Constable talks to Philip Morgan about the different forms of ASD and about how the condition can make it difficult for patients to receive an eye examination. Paul and Philip discuss best practice principles optometrists can follow and ways in which clearer guidance can be given to optometrists in future.

Topics: Disability, Autism, Gaze, Asperger's syndrome, Communication, Language, Eye movements, Saccades, Convergence.

No CPD Points

In 2011 Professor John Lawrenson was involved in interpreting the new recommendations on decontamination published by the Department of Health and drafting the new College guidance. Here he speaks to Hugh Breakspear about the updated guidelines and what they mean for practising optometrists.

Topics: Hygiene, Sterilisation, Health, vCJD, Tonometer, Contact lens, BSE, Prion, Gonioscope, Trial lenses, Infection, Bleach.

No CPD Points

Anna Turvey and Judith Morris discuss a range of issues relating to RGP lenses, including how long term RGP wear can affect the spectacle prescription and the shape of the cornea.

Topics: Aftercare, Contact lens, Rigid gas permeable, Cornea, Spectacle, Refraction, Staining, 3 and 9, Epithelial, Ptosis, Moulding, Material.

No CPD Points

Malcolm Long speaks with Daniela Nosch who explains her findings from a study carried out in 2011 suggesting that the presence of contact lenses does not alter the accuracy of dynamic contour tonometry measurements. She then discusses the benefits it can have for some groups of patients. 

Topics: Dynamic contour tonometry, Cornea, Goldman, GAT, IOP, Glaucoma, Ocular pulse amplitude, OPA, Intra-ocular pressure.

No CPD Points

Epilepsy Action is a member-led organisation which raises awareness about the condition and provides advice to healthcare professionals. Bob Wilkes interviews Shelley Wagstaff about issues for optometrists to consider when dealing with patients with epilepsy. 

Topics: Seizure, Brain, Trauma, Stroke, Infection, Photosensitive, Recovery.

No CPD Points

Two million people in the UK are affected by some degree of sight loss. Hugh Breakspear interviews Ron Bramley, the Chief Executive of the Thomas Pocklington Trust. Ron explains how optometrists can provide guidance to their patients about lighting in the home. 

Topics: Thomas Pocklington, Visual impairment, Elderly, Lighting, Blind, Partially sighted, Low vision, Glare, Falls.

No CPD Points

Gordon Ilett talks to Susan Cowling about the link between learning disabilities and visual problems, and about what practical considerations optometrists should bear in mind when examining patients with learning disabilities. 

Topics: Seeability, RNIB, Disability, Olympics, Downs syndrome, Visual impairment, Cerbral palsy, Keratoconus, Cataract, Amblyopia.

No CPD Points

Professor Earl Smith, of the College of Optometry at the University of Houston, has been conducting some fascinating research into myopia control. Philip Morgan talks to Professor Smith about his findings.

Topics: Myopia, Progression, Refractive error, Contact lenses, Spectacles, Retina, Periphery, Genetics, Inheritance, Growth.

No CPD Points

A team of scientists at University College London is working on a new way of diagnosing major neurological disease by a simple eye test. The technique uses fluorescent markers to show evidence of nerve cell death in the retina. Gwyneth Morgan discusses these advances with Professor Francesca Cordeiro.

Topics: Fluorescent, Markers, Alzheimer's, Nerve, Retina, Neurodegeneration, Brain, Cell death, Apoptosis, Necrosis.

No CPD Points

The intraocular microtelescope has been developed to manage AMD. Hugh Breakspear interviews Simon Levy to explain the Microtelescope and its potential to further improve the lives of those with the condition.

Topics: Telescope, AMD, Macular degeneration, Inplant, Mirror, Lipshitz, Visual impairment, Magnification, Lens, Wet, Dry.

No CPD Points

Each optometric practice, like any other business, is responsible for their own waste  disposal. Here Dr Susan Blakeney discusses the waste disposal advice which was developed in 2009 with Hugh Breakspear.

Topics: Hygiene, Drugs, Minims, Solutions, Contact lenses, Sharps, Contamination, Infection, Body fluids, Clinical waste, Hazardous.

No CPD Points

Visual neglect is a decreased awareness of part of the field of view and can happen after a stroke or other trauma to the brain. Here Olivia Hunt talks to Glyn Humphreys about visual neglect and his research around the subject.

Topics: Neglect, Brain, Trauma, Stroke, Visual field, Music, Tumour, Head injury.

No CPD Points

In 2009 a research project at the Institute of Optometry investigated the use of vision screening to detect correctable visual problems in the older population. Here Zahra Jessa and Bruce Evans talk to Hugh Breakspear about their research.

Topics: Visual impairment, Screening, Elderly, Cataract, Refractive error, Vision loss, Ageing eye, Macular, Computer.

No CPD Points

PSP is a neurodegenerative disorder which has devastating effects on a person’s motor system robbing them of their independence. Here Kathy Miller-Hunt talks to David Bull about PSP and the importance of increasing awareness among optometrists.

Topics: Palsy, Neurodegenerative, Supranuclear, Visual disturbance, Motor system, PSP, Neurological disease, Eye movements, Diplopia, Eye movements, Saccades.

No CPD Points

This audio programme discusses the very latest theory for glaucoma and its progression, describes a new way of assessing a patient's stereo vision, and explains our current understanding of human 3D vision and how it may be impacted upon by 3D and virtual reality displays.

Topics: Glaucoma, Binocular vision, 3D, Virtual reality, Stereopsis, Stereoacuity, Paediatric, Screening, Ganglion cells. 

Area of interest: Independent Prescribing

No CPD Points

Rachel, 28 years of age, PA in a busy office. This case includes two videos and discusses corneal astigmatism, slit lamp examination results and fitting of soft toric contact lenses.

Topics: Astigmatism, Soft toric lenses, RGP lenses, Slit lamp, Toric, Aftercare, Bitoric, Gas permeable, Keratometry, Contact lenses.

No CPD Points

Jon, 34 years of age, aerospace engineer. This case includes three videos and discusses corneal astigmatism, fitting of spherical and toric RGP lenses and aftercare and staining.

Topics: Astigmatism, Soft toric lenses, RGP lenses, Slit lamp, Toric, Aftercare, Bitoric, Gas permeable, Keratometry, Contact lenses.

No CPD Points

Following on from our previous referrals special, this programme aims to show how pathways are developing at both national and local level and includes interviews with key players in developing new approaches to primary care management of eye disease.

Topics: Referral, NICE, Cataracts, AMD, Glaucoma, Local protocol, Emergency, Urgent, Fast-track, Record keeping, Secondary care, Refinement, Filtering, Ocular hypertension, NHS contracted services.

Area of interest: MECS

No CPD Points

This audio programme discusses the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in optometry, how it is already incorporated into optometric techniques, how it may support clinical management and referral and how new technologies may be able to support the practitioner in interpreting clinical data.

Topics: Artificial intelligence, Machine learning, Clinical management, Referrals, Glaucoma referral refinement, OCT, Bayesian algorithm.

Area of interest: Independent Prescribing 

No CPD Points

This audio programme discusses three areas where recent research or guideline changes may improve the detection and management of ocular disease - namely Acanthamoeba keratitis, myopia therapy with low-dose atropine and screening for maculopathy due to the systemic use of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine.

Topics: Acanthamoeba keratitis, Chloroquine, Hydroxychloroquine, Adverse side effects, Systemic drugs, Maculopathy, Low-dose atropine, Myopia, Myopia therapy, Contact lenses

Area of interest: Independent prescribing

No CPD Points

This audio programme discusses three areas where recent developments may improve the detection and management of ocular disease - namely selective laser trabeculoplasty treatment, high energy light impulse therapy and macular pigment screening.

Topics: Glaucoma, Ocular hypertension, Laser treatment,  Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT), Therapeutic management, Specialist glaucoma services, Dry eye disease, Lid margin therapy, Meibomian gland dysfunction, Telangiectasia, Intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment, Macular pigments, Maculopathy, Macular degeneration, Pigment density, Haidinger's brushes, Macular screening.

No CPD Points

The first module of the contact lenses series covers the core skills required to examine patients to assess their suitability for contact lenses, to fit a range of RGP and soft lenses and to conduct successful patient aftercare. This programme is particularly suitable for those new or returning to contact lens fitting.

Topics: Contact lenses, Slit lamp, RGP, Rigid gas permeable, Soft, Tear assessment, Dry eye, Record keeping, Grading scales, Keratometry.

This accredited Level 2 e-learning Safeguarding course expired on 5 January 2022. If you have completed this course, you can print your certificate here. 

This course has been replaced with our new Safeguarding Adults for Optometrists Level 2 course, updated in January 2022.

This accredited Level 2 e-learning Safeguarding course expired on 5 January 2022. If you have completed this course, you can print your certificate here. 

This course has been replaced with our new Safeguarding Children for Optometrists Level 2 course, updated in January 2022.

No CPD Points

In this session delegates are asked to watch a short video that outlines a case scenario of a 67-year-old patient with cataracts and macula changes. 

Topics: AMD, Cataracts, Communication, Depression, Electronic aids, Low vision aids, Management plans, Mental health.

No CPD Points

In this session delegates are asked to watch a short video that outlines a case scenario of an 81-year-old patient with macula degeneration.

Topics: AMD, Charles Bonnet, Communication, Depression, Electronic aids, Lighting, Low vision aids, Management plans, Mental health.

No CPD Points

In this session delegates are asked to watch a short video that outlines a case scenario of a 93-year-old patient with glaucoma and severe sight impairment. 

Topics: Electronic aids, Falls, Field loss, Glaucoma, Low vision aids, Management plans, Mobility.

No CPD Points

In this session delegates are asked to watch a short video that outlines a case scenario of a 60-year-old patient who suffered a stroke 2 months ago.

Topics: Communication, Depression, Electronic aids, Field loss, Low vision aids, Management plans, Mental health, Mobility, Stroke.

No CPD Points

This edition of Advances in Eyecare discusses the role of technology in three areas; Artificial Intelligence (AI) and telemedicine in diabetic retinopathy screening and how it can be used to enhance patient management; the role of ultra-wide field imaging in the early detection of Alzheimer's disease and an overview of how technology is now being used by visually impaired patients to help them carry out everyday tasks.

Topics: Artificial Intelligence, Telemedicine, Diabetic retinopathy, Patient engagement, Ultra-wide field imaging, Alzheimer’s disease, Visual impairment, Low vision aids.

No CPD Points

In the second episode of Sound Optometry, we hear about a clinical scenario where papilloedema was detected in a young girl. Michelle Hanratty then discusses the topic of papilloedema, its presentation, causes and potential treatment with consultant neuro-ophthalmologist Naz Raoof.

Topics: Communication, Neuro-ophthalmology, Optic disc anomalies, Papilloedema, OCT.

Area of interest: MECS

No CPD Points

In the first episode of DOCET’s new podcasts Sound Optometry we explore how patients with ocular allergy get clinical advice and treatment. We hear from a community pharmacist who is often the first port of call for an allergy sufferer before Michelle Hanratty discusses ocular allergy in more detail with IP optometrist Dr Peter Frampton.

Topics: Allergic conjunctivitis, Seasonal and perennial allergy, Topical medications and contact lenses, Effective history taking, Remote consultations, Allergy vs adverse reaction.

Area of interest: Independent prescribing

No CPD Points

In the third episode of Sound Optometry, Michelle Hanratty is joined by Stephen Lash, Consultant Vitreo-Retinal Surgeon, and Roshni Kanabar, Clinical and Regulatory Advisor for the Association of Optometrists (AOP), to discuss how to manage suspected retinal detachment. 

Topics: Retinal tear, Retinal detachment, Flashes and floaters, Posterior vitreous detachment, Record keeping, Communication, Referrals.

No CPD Points

In this episode of Sound Optometry, we hear of a scenario where a sixth nerve palsy was detected in an urgent remote consultation with an elderly patient. We also explore methods that optometrists have at their disposal to detect and manage binocular vision problems in children.

Topics: Binocular vision assessment, Examining children, Amblyopia, Strabismus, Squint, Incommitant, Convergence insufficiency, Exercises, Ocular Motility, Stereopsis, Prisms, Double vision, Orthoptics, Referrals.

No CPD Points

In this episode of Sound Optometry, optometrist Robert Longhurst reports an increased incidence of viral conjunctivitis-related red eye during lockdown and Consultant Ophthalmologist David Lockington explores the investigation and management of acute red eye.

Topics: Red eye, Viral conjunctivitis, Microbial keratitis, Contact lens complications, Independent prescribing, Emergency referrals.

No CPD Points

The focus of this episode of Sound Optometry is wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) where Michelle Hanratty explores the referral, investigation and management of wet AMD with consultant ophthalmologist Rupal Morjaria

Topics: Medical retina, Age-related macular degeneration, Referrals, Retinitis pigmentosa, Patient communication, Gene therapy.