Search results for Communication

This paper provides a practical overview of the causes and impact of cerebral visual impairment (CVI), how it is diagnosed and telltale signs and symptoms.

Find out what comfort means in contact lenses and how we can retain patients in contact lenses.

This recorded webinar by Dr Benjamin Wakerley gives an overview of different types of headache and how they present, with particular focus on migraine headaches.

Adrian O’Dowd explores a new treatment for late-stage dry AMD being considered for approved use in the UK that could raise hopes of delaying the irreversible sight loss caused by the disease.

This paper explores trends in where patients seek information on contact lenses, who has the most influence on their decision making and the perceived importance of the patient–practitioner relationship.

Find out what comfort means in contact lenses and how we can retain patients in contact lenses.

This online CPD course will guide you through the NICE recommended classification of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), risk factors, guidance on when to refer and when to manage in practice.

How do clinicians choose between generic and branded drugs, balancing the need for patient safety against cost? Kathy Oxtoby takes a look.

COVID-19 and its impact on eyecare: a review

Find out what comfort means in contact lenses and how we can retain patients in contact lenses.

In this recorded webinar, Dr Gordon Hay discusses true ocular emergencies and provides optometrists with clear guidance on how to make clear and effective referrals to eye casualty.

Kim Thomas explores ocular immune privilege – how does it work, what benefits does it offer and what happens when it goes wrong?

This article reviews the utility of telemedicine in community practice.

Find out what comfort means in contact lenses and how we can retain patients in contact lenses.

This online CPD course follows an optometrist while they examine four children of differing ages being managed in practice for a variety of binocular vision anomalies.

Evidence suggests that obstructive sleep apnoea increases the risk of normal-tension glaucoma writes Kim Thomas, but is there a causal mechanism?

In this article three interesting glaucoma cases are discussed alongside the evidence-based approach underpinning management decisions.

An online dedicated therapeutics peer review session for College members who are qualified independent prescribers.

This online CPD course helps optometrists practise making clinical decisions, covering a range of topics and clarify when to refer patients and the level of urgency of referrals.

Kathy Oxtoby looks at the intended and adverse effects of corticosteroids, the common concerns patients have, and how to manage a steroid response.

This article describes an audit to evaluate how the COVID-19 pandemic affected hospital contact lens services.

This online peer review session is open to College members and will cover your GOC peer review requirement.

Dr Margaret (Maggie) Woodhouse discusses the main issues in examining and managing patients with learning disabilities whose communication styles are different from the norm.

The floodgates have opened for a new era of gene therapy that can treat the inherited causes of eye disease. Becky McCall reports.

This article considers the ocular microbiome and its relevance to optometrists and contact lens practice.

This online peer review session is open to College members and will cover your GOC peer review requirement.

This online course helps you practise a range of communication skills that are required for patient consultations, including listening, involving patients in decision making, breaking bad news and handling complaints.

Consultant Ophthalmologist Damian Lake looks at the history of corneal collagen cross-linking in treating keratoconus, the current indications for its use, and the most up-to-date refinements to the procedure.

This article discusses the reasons why compliance matters, factors that influence and the consequences of poor compliance.

This online peer review session is open to College members and will cover your GOC peer review requirement.

Make your history taking effective with this online course which will help you identify areas where you can improve your routine and your clinician-patient experience.

Prashant Shah MCOptom PGDipOphth DipClinOptom on the differential diagnosis of OMG when patients present with diplopia or ophthalmoplegia and an existing autoimmune condition.

This paper reviews the history and current use of the lissamine green dye in ocular examination.

This online peer review session is open to College members and will cover your GOC peer review requirement.

This course is aimed at all optometrists - both newly qualified and experienced. It will take you through the stages of an eye examination looking at ways you can maximise your communication skills.

Adrian O’Dowd explores whether the global rises in myopia and diabetes are linked and whether insulin resistance and diet can affect sight.

The authors present a case report of a 74-year-old Caucasian woman with a palpable mass in the right lower eyelid which transpired to be a metastasis from undiagnosed breast cancer.

This online peer review session is open to College members and will cover your GOC peer review requirement.

This online CPD course will help you make decisions when faced with complex issues and helps you communicate your findings and management plans effectively.

Drusen can be a significant finding, but they aren’t always a harbinger of doom. With new approaches on the horizon, asks Kaye McIntosh, what should optometrists do when drusen are found?

This paper describes how viruses infect, reproduce and damage cells. Knowing this process is critical for understanding how to treat ocular viral infections.

This online peer review session is open to College members and will cover your GOC peer review requirement.

This online CPD course will guide you in making clinical decisions for your patients with neuro-ophthalmological signs and symptoms.

Adrian O’Dowd asks if the growing use of topography in community optometry will lead to wavefront analysis gaining traction as a complementary tool.

This article outlines the evidence used to demonstrate the complex aetiology of myopia development and discusses how the supposed opposing influences of genetic factors and environmental influences can be used to further our understanding of myopia.

This online peer review session is open to College members and will cover your GOC peer review requirement.

MODULE 3: This online CPD course will help you evaluate methodological quality and determine whether a research study is relevant to you.

Adrian O’Dowd examines why optometrists need to act on behalf of patients who report temporary sight loss in one eye caused by amaurosis fugax, a potentially serious and sometimes overlooked condition.

This literature review provides an overview of the ocular changes that can occur during pregnancy.

In this online CPD course, Thurka Sivapalan MCOptom covers the basic principles of OCT to help diagnose, monitor, and manage glaucoma-related conditions in community practice and in hospitals.

Graham Clews reports on the potential impact of SLT, as a study finds it could reduce the need for traditional treatments for glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

This article summarises the key findings of a survey taken by members of the College of Optometrists investigating changes in clinical optometric practice in the UK as a result of the pandemic including the challenges and benefits identified.

In this online course you will analyse video extracts of optometrists giving OCT results to a patient. Activities will enable you to reflect on your own experience of effective communication with your patients.

Becky McCall looks at headlight dazzle on the roads, and why complaints about glare to optometrists are rising.

This article provides guidance on the optometric assessment and management of patients with posterior cortical atrophy.

This recorded webinar by Professor Bruce Evans FCOptom will help you diagnose binocular vision anomalies and identify those that can be treated by an optometrist, those that need referral or do not require treatment.

Kathy Oxtoby asks how optometrists can communicate effectively with patients who cannot verbally communicate.

This article reviews the evidence underpinning our contemporary understanding of the mechanics of presbyopia.

This recorded webinar includes real case examples of patients who attended a large ophthalmic emergency department and includes the importance of history taking. Diagnosis is not always what you would expect.

A part of the ageing process or an indication of retinal tear or detachment? George Winter talks to experts about how patients presenting with flashes and floaters should be managed.

The first ocular gene therapy has now been approved for use as a treatment, therefore it is important optometrists have a basic understanding of genetics and gene therapy. This article will help with answering patient queries, managing patients and appropriate referrals.

This recorded webinar by Mr Kam Balaggan covers urgent vitreoretinal conditions and complex cataract surgery, including epiretinal membrane, macular hole and/or eye floater surgery, retinal detachment surgery, and either complex cataract surgery.

Half of those with anterior uveitis carry the HLA-B27 antigen on their white blood cells. Kim Thomas explores the role this genetic association plays in eye disorders.

A snapshot of driver attitudes to requiring a vision check undertaken in a sample of 100 consecutive patients in optometry practice who held a driving licence.

This recorded webinar delivered by Suzanne Fraser MCOptom and Cathy Williams will help you understand how to assess a child with learning difficulties and the process of taking a relevant history.

Becky McCall analyses the evidence that working distance increases the risk of myopia in children, and the escalation of time spent on screens is related to the surging incidence of myopia around the world.

This article describes sleep and its regulation, and the specific contribution of the eye.

2024 TRAINING: This online course is for those aspiring to become a Principal Supervisor for workplace learners - trainees for the Scheme for Registration and students for CLiP.

Many people suffering from hypertension don’t even know they have a problem. But in the right setting, writes Léa Surugue, Optometrists can be part of the solution.

This article reviews the research into digital technology innovation and home monitoring in the management of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma.

2024 TRAINING: This course addresses the duties of supervising by guiding and influencing people. It includes the common challenges you may face as a supervisor.

Adrian O’Dowd investigates whether genetic nurture plays a significant role in childhood development of myopia alongside a person’s built-in genetics.

This article considers sight in the context of our other senses and how our understanding of the senses has changed over time.

This online CPD course helps you improve your knowledge and skills in managing public health issues that affect your patients: dementia, falls and depression.

Becky McCall looks at the effects of menopause on the eye, and asks how optometrists can us their expertise to advise women.

This review aims to inform readers about thyroid eye disease.

Kim Thomas weighs up the risks and rewards of minimally invasive surgical techniques.

This review discusses the basic principles of brain imaging together with an explanation of what brain imaging can tell us about vision and visual disorders.

Kaye McIntosh on managing patients with nystagmus in the consulting room – patience is key in examinations.

Ocular cancers are uncommon but serious. Thankfully, there are world-class specialist centres here in the UK. Carina Bailey looks into the service they provide.

Evaporative dry eye resulting from meibomian gland dysfunction has been difficult to treat, writes Kim Thomas. But intense pulsed light therapy is being increasingly deployed to tackle it. So does it really work?

John Windell asks whether more practices should consider adding the specially designed night-time RGP lenses to their portfolios.

Some tree and grass pollens emerge in February. Other allergens come all year round. Anna Scott asks what optometrists need to know to support allergy sufferers.

Becky McCall looks at how the latest research has linked air pollution with eye health, and the advice to give patients on how to protect themselves.

Myopia case numbers are rising and treatment options vary, but are optometrists keeping an open mind on its causes and management? Adrian O’Dowd investigates.

Often presenting as eyelid-based lesions, basal cell carcinoma has a good prognosis – but can pose a high risk to the eyes and surrounding tissues if left untreated. Optometrists are well placed to help with early detection and referral, Helen Bird learns.

In the final part of our series on ageing, Adrian O’Dowd looks at how technology will play a vital role in eye care for older people.

What are the potential benefits of home glaucoma monitoring – and the challenges to be overcome? Juliette Astrup reports.

Brush up your knowledge on one of the most remarkable parts of the eye. Kimi Chaddah explores the cornea’s anatomy, its capacity for healing, and promising research avenues in corneal innervation.

With the global prevalence of myopia predicted to reach 50% and rates in the UK rising, should optometrists be embracing myopia management techniques? Madeleine Bailey reports.