docet

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.

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.

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

Visual field assessment is a common eye examination performed to enable us to map out a patient’s visual field. In this programme Dr Robert Cubbidge talks through different visual fields assessment techniques, and the benefits and limitations of each.

First published in DOCET OQ90 (2014).

Topics: Visual fields, Frequency Doubling, Perimetry, Glaucoma, Magnocellular.

No CPD Points

Domains: Clinical practice, Communication

This recorded lecture by consultant ophthalmic surgeon, Professor Heinrich Heimann provides an overview of the most important malignancies and pre-malignancies of the ocular surface and anterior chamber and how to spot them.

Topics: Melanoma, Lymphoma, Naevus, Tumour, Conjunctiva, Ciliary body, Iris, Anterior chamber, Pigment, Cyst, Metastisis, Papilloma, Squamous cell. 

CPD Ref: C-100600

CPD Points:

CPD Type: Non-interactive

Closing Date: 28 June 2024

Domains: Communication, Clinical practice

This recorded lecture by Dr Aleksandra Mankowska presents four case studies of patients with binocular vision problems. For each case the presenting symptoms, appropriate clinical assessment and management options are discussed, providing optometrists with an overview of common binocular vision problems and how to manage them in practice.

Topics: Paediatric, Multiple sclerosis, Convergence insufficiency, Esophoria, Exophoria, Prism, Fusional reserves, Stereopsis, Cycloplegic, Tropia, Microtropia, Convergence weakness, Refraction, Amblyopia, Nystagmus.

No CPD Points

Domains: Communication, Clinical practice

This recorded webinar with Mr Neil Retallic presents key findings from recent contact lens research published in the BCLA Contact Lens Evidence Based Academic Reports (CLEAR) and discusses how it can help shape contact lens practice. The presentation provides clinical pearls on how to best relate to contact lens wearer’s individual needs and take a patient centric evidence-based approach, to maximise success with contact lens wear.

Topics: Soft, RGP multifocal, Presbyopia, Fitting, Aftercare, Evidence-based, CLD, Complications, BCLA.

CPD Ref: C-103685

CPD Points:

CPD Type: Non-interactive

Closing Date: 28 June 2024

Domains: Clinical practice

This recorded webinar hosted by Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon Raman Malhotra will help optometrists to identify and manage commonly occurring suspicious eyelid conditions. It will cover both benign and malignant eyelid lesions as well as discuss the features, diagnosis, management and referral of the conditions by community optometrists. At the end of the webinar Mr Malhotra answers questions raised during the lecture. 

Topics: Lids, Malignant, Benign, BCC, Carcinoma, Oncology, Meibomian, Tumour, Squamous cell, Melanoma, Chalazion, Molluscum, Naevus, Papilloma, Xanthelasma.

CPD Ref: C-106052

CPD Points:

CPD Type: Non-interactive

Closing Date: 31 December 2024

Domains: Clinical practice 

In this recorded lecture, led by Mr Paddy Gunn, optometrists are given an opportunity to assess and reflect on their optic disc interpretation skills for a range of patient cases.  The cases review the key elements to look out for when examining the optic disc, other information to consider and how to use technology, such as OCT, to effectively support the management of glaucoma suspects.

Topics: Visual fields, Tonometry, Glaucoma, OCT, IOP, Normal tension, Ocular hypertension, Optic pit, Optic nerve, RNFL.

CPD Points: 

CPD Type: Non-interactive

Closing Date: 31 December 2024

Domains: Communication, Professionalism

The first of three programmes on examining patients with learning disabilities, which looks at the terminology around learning disabilities and provides information on different types, such as cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome and the autism spectrum. The programme discusses causes, prevalence and how patients and their vision can be affected.

Topics: Learning disabilities, Genetics,  Down’s syndrome, Autism, Cerebral palsy, Asperger syndrome, Communication, Visual impairment, Williams syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, Chromosome, Congenital, Amblyopia, Refractive error, Strabismus, Accommodation, Cataracts, Binocular vision.

No CPD Points

Domains: Clinical practice, Communication

In this recorded lecture, Dr Denize Atan looks at patients presenting with suspicious optic discs and/or headaches and discusses how to differentiate between serious and benign conditions. She looks at how the increasing use of OCT can be applied to aid appropriate referrals for patients with suspect neurological conditions.

Topics: Optic disc, Tumours, Intracranial pressure, Swelling, OCT, Drusen, Tilted disc, Pseudo-papilloedema, Meningitis, Hypertension, Ischaemia, Infection, Optic neuritis, Headache, Nausea, Nerve palsy.

No CPD Points

Domains: Clinical practice, Communication

This lecture by consultant ophthalmic surgeon, Professor Heinrich Heimann, aims to increase clinical skills in differentiating between benign and suspicious lesions that require monitoring or referral. It focuses on the more common causes including choroidal naevus, choroidal melanoma and CHRPE and includes imaging, referral and monitoring strategies.

Topics: Fundus, Retina, Pigmented, Malignant, Tumour, Choroidal melanoma, Choroidal naevi, CHRPE, Vortex vein ampulla, Peripheral disciform, Differential diagnosis, OCT, Referral.

No CPD Points

Domains: Clinical practice, Professionalism

This lecture by consultant ophthalmologist, Damian Lake, covers different acute red eye conditions, particularly in contact lens wearers. It discusses the management of both those that can be treated in practice and others, such as infective causes, where urgent referral to the Hospital Eye Service is required.

Topics: Contact lenses, Ulcers, Microbial keratitis, Ocular allergy, Viral, Bacterial, Fungal, Allergic, Infiltrate, Hygiene, Infection, Acanthamoeba, Abrasion.

CPD Ref: C-107759

CPD Points:

CPD Type: Non-interactive

Closing Date: 31 December 2024

Domains: Clinical practice, Communication

This recorded lecture aims to build the confidence of community optometrists when examining children with special educational needs (SEN). Professor Rachel Pilling provides guidance on adapting your communication and testing approaches to better accommodate children with special needs. Common ocular issues seen in SEN children are addressed, as are the ways in which optometrists can assist both the children and their parents in optimising vision. Recognising when referral is required is also explored.

Topics: Special educational needs, SEN, ASD, ADHD, Cerebral visual impairment, CVI, Atypical visual behaviour, Communication, Retinoscopy, Visual assessment, Refraction, GOS, Dry eye, Referral.

No CPD Points

Domains: Clinical practice, Professionalism

In this episode we hear from both parent and child about their experience of myopia management with soft contact lenses before Michelle Hanratty talks to Optometrist Kathryn Webber about myopia management. They discuss how to identify suitable candidates and give useful advice on how to explain the potential benefits of myopia management to patients.

Topics: Myopia management, Risk factors for myopia, Communication, Fitting contact lenses in children, Pathological myopia.

CPD Ref: C-104337

CPD Points:

CPD Type: Non-interactive

Closing Date: 28 June 2024

Domains: Clinical practice

In this recorded lecture, Dr Lindsay Rountree explores non-glaucomatous visual fields, covering the choice of test, interpretation of field plots, and appropriate referral. At the end of the lecture, Dr Rountree answers questions raised during her talk. 

Topics: Neurological, Threshold, Visual pathway, Hemianopia, Quadranopia, Pituitary, Tumour, Stroke.

CPD Ref: C-105282

CPD Points:

CPD Type: Non-interactive

Closing Date: 28 June 2024

Domains: Leadership and accountability 

In this recorded lecture, an expert panel lead by Philippa Shaw looks at the leadership role that all optometrists need to take in community practice and how they may influence colleagues in their team. The panel discusses common situations that occur every day in practice as well as optometrists’ responsibilities. 

Topics: Referrals, Multi-disciplinary, Governance, Records, Delegated tasks, Pre-screening, Audit, Supervision.

No CPD Points

Domains: Clinical practice, Communication

In this episode, we hear from a patient who was diagnosed with a conjunctival melanoma before Michelle Hanratty talks to Professor Heinrich Heimann about lesions of the ocular surface and of the anterior chamber. The discussion covers how to recognise pertinent signs and the associated risks factors as well as the management, investigation and treatment of such patients.

Topics: Conjunctival lesions, Uveal lesions, Ocular tumours, Referrals.

No CPD Points

Domains: Clinical practice, Leadership & Accountability

In this episode, Michelle Hanratty explores the two-way risk of infection in optometric practice with Dr Conor Meehan. A real life case study of a workplace acquired ocular infection follows as we hear from ophthalmologist Arijit Mitra, who reminds the listener of the potential consequences in any lapse of infection prevention and control. 

Topics: Infection prevention and control, Hand hygiene, Reuse of instruments and contact lenses.

No CPD Points

In this episode of Sound Optometry Michelle speaks to Arijit Mitra, Consultant Ophthalmologist about his personal experience with cataract and Ajai Tyagi, who gives insight from a surgical viewpoint. The episode concludes with some advice from both surgeons on the referral and postoperative care of cataract patients.

Topics: Cataract, Referrals, Patient communication, Monovision.

No CPD Points

In this episode, we hear about a clinical scenario where a case of idiopathic intracranial hypertension led to severe visual symptoms and bilateral optic disc swelling. Michelle then recaps the key features of papilloedema, its presentation and causes with neuro-ophthalmologist Dr Denize Atan before looking at the differential diagnoses. The second part of the episode concentrates on the unilateral causes of optic disc swelling.

Topics: Optic disc drusen, Optic disc swelling, Optic neuritis, Optic neuropathy, Papilloedema, Referrals.

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 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

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

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.

No CPD Points

In this episode of Sound Optometry, Michelle discusses the concepts of Speaking Up with David Hewlett, Group Director at FODO; our producer, Richard Hollingham speaks to Julie Breen, Freedom to Speak Up Guardian for Tees LOC, who outlines her role within primary care optometry.

Topics: Freedom to Speak Up, Speaking up, Raising concerns, Whistleblowing, GOC Standards of Practice.

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

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

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

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

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

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 programme provides guidance on the challenges in communication that optometrists may face and strategies that can be used to improve their services to older patients.

Topics: Vulnerable adults, Dementia, Disability, Verbal, Questions, Language, Advice, Recommendations, Ageing, Psychological, Anxiety, Cognitive.

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

CPD Ref: C-101645

CPD Points: 

CPD Type: Non-interactive

Closing Date: 31 December 2024

Domains: Clinical practice, Communication

The second part of the glaucoma programme reviews the anatomy of the normal eye and the pathophysiology in the development of glaucoma. It also covers the current thoughts on the causes of glaucoma and the various risk factors for the different types.

Topics: Glaucoma, NICE, SIGN, POAG, COAG, CAG, Congenital, Ocular hypertension, Prevalence, Risk, Corneal thickness, IOP.

Docet provides these free template forms which optometrists organising and facilitating peer discussions are welcome to download for their own use.

CPD Ref: C-106502

CPD Points: 

CPD Type: Non-interactive

Closing Date: 31 December 2024

Domains: Clinical practice, Communication

This is the second case study on fitting presbyopic patients with contact lenses, part of Docet’s Contact Lenses: Presbyopia module. This case looks at the re-fitting of a typical presbyopic contact lens wearer with multifocal lenses. The patient’s lifestyle is considered as the case works through the steps of successfully fitting and modifying two soft multifocal contact lens designs. This course will help an optometrist build their confidence fitting common multifocal lenses and discuss how to effectively communicate with the patient.

Topics: Presbyopia, Tear film, Dry eye, Tears, Multifocal, Monovision, Contact lenses, Soft, Aftercare, Presbyopia series.