Docet webinar: Joining the dots (and blots) of diabetic retinopathy

Domains covered

Communication Clinical practice

In this one-hour webinar, funded by Docet and managed by The College of Optometrists, Dr Rosalind Creer, a lead optometrist at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital with a specialist interest in medical retina and diabetic eye disease, will speak about the signs and symptoms of diabetic retinopathy. Dr Creer will give an overview of the diabetic eye-screening programme, including recent changes, and describe the referral pathways, treatments and indicators for treatment.

The focus of this talk will be on the importance of systemic risk factors and the impact of these on the progression of diabetic retinopathy, along with the potential for the primary care optometrist to start discussions with the patient about this. Case studies will further illustrate the content of this webinar.

Question and Answer session

At the end of the webinar, Dr Creer will answer some of the live questions raised during the talk.

You will be able to claim one interactive CPD point after attending this live session.

Domains and learning outcomes

Clinical Practice

s.5 Keep your knowledge and skills up to date

Understand the changes that have taken place in the diabetic eye-screening programme thereby ensuring knowledge is up to date.

s.7 Conduct appropriate assessments, examinations, treatments and referrals

Recognise signs and symptoms of diabetic retinopathy and understand the treatments available where necessary.
Understand the importance of conducting an adequate assessment for the purposes of assessing diabetic retinopathy, including taking a relevant medical history of the patient’s diabetes and other systemic risk factors.
Understand when referral to secondary care is appropriate in relation to diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy.

Communication

s.1 Listen to patients and ensure they are at the heart of decisions made about their care

Able to support patients in caring for themselves by discussing the benefits of maintaining good diabetic control and addressing systemic risk factors for their diabetic eye disease.

s.2 Communicate effectively with patients

Able to explain the reasons and pathways for diabetic retinopathy screening to the patient, including the potential referral pathways.
Able to explain any potential treatments to patients in relation to their diabetic eye disease.

Dr Rosalind Creer BSc MCOptom PhD DipTp (IP)

Lead Optometrist Manchester Royal Eye Hospital

Dr Creer is a lead optometrist at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital with a specialist interest in medical retina and diabetic eye disease. She is an honorary lecturer at the University of Manchester and lectures on the Medical Retina Professional Certificate course as well as the Diabetes Masters course at Salford University. Dr Creer has presented work on the diabetic eye service at MREH, at national and international conferences and published research articles in peer reviewed journals.