College of Optometrists

Abstract:

This presentation will highlight the role of the optometrist in providing eyecare for young children and will aim to improve the confidence of delegates in managing these cases whilst also stressing the need for practitioners to be aware of their limitations. The presentation will include a mixture of summaries of published literature, examples from clinical optometric practice, and descriptions of methods for clinical tests.

The following topics will be covered:
• Delegates will be given a summary of the general approach to paediatrics and tips on how to make the eye exam fun and non-stressful for the child and parent
• Referral criteria: which problems can be managed by optometrists and which need to be referred. This will include examples of conditions and patients.
• Typical optometric routine for different age-groups of children. Tests will be listed that are appropriate for each age and any tests that practitioners are likely to find unfamiliar will be explained with illustrations.
• Review of different visual acuity tests and their norms, stressing the benefits of using crowded tests. Colour photographs will be used to help explain different tests.
• Binocular vision testing at different ages and the norms that practitioners can expect.
• Principles of the management of paediatric eye problems in optometric practice, stressing refractive management. This will use examples of patients that are likely to be encountered and will encourage audience participation.

Learning objectives:

• To understand the principles of the management of paediatric eye problems in optometric practice, stressing refractive management.
• To understand binocular vision testing at different ages and the norms that practitioners can expect.
• To understand different visual acuity tests and their norms, stressing the benefits of using crowded tests.
• To understand the general approach to paediatrics and be given tips on how to make the eye exam fun and non-stressful for the patient.
• To understand which problems can be managed by optometrists and which need to be referred.

Biography:

Professor Bruce Evans is Director of Research at the Institute of Optometry and a Visiting Professor to City University and to London South Bank University. He is a Fellow (by examination, specialising in paediatrics and contact lenses) of the College of Optometrists and holds their higher qualifications of Diploma in Contact Lens Practice and Diploma in Orthoptics. He was awarded Fellowship of the British Contact Lens Association in 2006. He has produced over 200 publications, has given more than 250 invited lectures, and has authored five books on binocular vision and two on dyslexia and vision. Many of these publications relate to children’s eyecare and he has lectured on this topic extensively in this country and overseas. He also has an optometric practice in Brentwood, Essex, where he specialises in children’s eyecare.

Abstract:

Prof Maclaren and his colleagues are dedicated to finding new treatments for blindness, particularly in patients with incurable retinal diseases. They are developing gene therapy with new adeno-associated viral vectors and leading a gene therapy trial to treat choroideraemia. They are also developing treatments for other macular and retinal degenerations and have a clinical research programme in artificial vision. This lecture will discuss the recent advances in the treatment of these blinding eye conditions as well as what the future holds for these patients. This lecture will provide an exciting opportunity for optometrists in the region to appreciate work being undertaken at the fore front of modern ophthalmology. By understanding the nature of this work optometrists will be better placed to advise their patients and the public of this.

Learning objectives:

• To understand the risk factors for inherited retinal dystrophies.
• To understand new treatments for patients with retinal degeneration.
• To understand how to manage the expectations of patients with retinal degeneration.
• To understand how to manage patients who have additional clinical or social needs.
• To understand how to assess patients with impaired visual function.

Biography:

Robert MacLaren is Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Oxford, Consultant Ophthalmologist at the Oxford Eye Hospital, Honorary Professor of Ophthalmology at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, Honorary Consultant Vitreoretinal Surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital, Honorary Consultant Ophthalmologist at Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, Faculty Member and Founding Theme Leader of the Moorfields-UCL Institute of Ophthalmology Biomedical Research Centre. He is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, Fellow and former King James IV Professor of Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinbugh, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and Bodley Fellow of Merton College Oxford.