22 September 2021

Cover your therapeutic competencies with the College

Independent prescribing

We have a number of therapeutic points available to IP members struggling to cover their competencies by the end of this year.

Searching for your final therapeutic points before the end of the cycle? We've got you covered! Our collection of independent prescribing courses will enable you to clinically assess a patient, establish a diagnosis, determine the clinical management required, and prescribe where necessary - all while covering those much needed therapeutic competencies. See our table below for our online course information and direct links:

COURSE/ARTICLES THERAPEUTIC 
COMPETENCIES COVERED		CET POINTS
Independent prescribing – differential diagnoses and management
  • Knowledge
  • Options
  • Professional
  • Safe
One non-interactive CET point       
Independent prescribing in the community
  • Options
  • Professional
  • Share decision making
One non-interactive CET point
Independent prescribing – management in clinical practice
  • Always improving
  • Knowledge
  • Options
  • Professional
  • Safe
One non-interactive CET point
Independent prescribing – effective patient management
  • Options
  • Professional
  • Self & others
  • The healthcare system
One non-interactive CET point
Lissamine green – where have we been and where are we now?
  • Knowledge
  • Professional
  • The Healthcare system
One non-interactive CET point
How new understanding of the ocular surface microbiome may affect our practice
  • Knowledge
One non-interactive CET point
The evolving role of optometrists in emergency eye care (EEC): evaluation of the EEC service at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester
  • Information
  • The healthcare system
  • Self and others
One non-interactive CET point
How can barriers to eye care be removed for adults with learning disability? A review of the evidence
  • Share decision making
One non-interactive CET point
Evidence-based dry-eye therapies for clinical use
  • Information
  • Options
  • Safe
One non-interactive CET point
Dry-eye disease lubricant discontinuation audit
  • Information
  • Professional
  • Safe
  • Share decision making
  • The healthcare system
One non-interactive CET point
Short-term LASIK outcomes for myopia with and without astigmatism using the MEL 90 excimer laser and VisuMax femtosecond laser
  • Knowledge
  • Professional
  • Share decision making
One non-interactive CET point
Evidence-based practice in myopia management
  • Knowledge
  • Safe
  • Share decision making
One non-interactive CET point
Make it clear with evidence-based practice
  • Always improving
  • Information
One non-interactive CET point

Still on the hunt for certain competencies? 

Let us know by emailing cpd@college-optometrists.org 

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Related further reading

Online IP peer review: 27 November 2025

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

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Online IP peer review: 16 July 2025

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Medication: which side effects should you discuss?

Adrian O’Dowd considers what optometrists should bear in mind when prescribing treatments that may have serious side effects.

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