LECTURE

1 CPD

Medical use of contact lenses; indications, contraindications and complications

About the session

CPD ref: C-108375

Description

Within a hospital setting contact lenses are viewed, not only as a legitimate optical alternative to the spectacle or surgical correction of refractive error, but as a useful adjunct to the management of ocular surface disease and corneal irregularity. Contact lens wearing patients are also known to create a significant workload for those charged with managing acute eye casualty services. 

In this session the presenters will provide an overview as to when and how contact lenses can be used in the management of ocular pathology; the contraindications that should be considered when contemplating their use; and the potential side effects and complications that can result from their use. Within the session case studies will be used to highlight important learning points. Particular attention will be given to how the optometry and ophthalmology professions can work collaboratively to reduce CL risk, maximise value and reduce the potential for conflicting advice.

Target Audience

  • Optometrist
  • Contact Lens Optician
  • Independent Prescriber

Domains and learning outcomes

Clinical practice

5.3 Be aware of current good practice and research developments in the area of medical contact lens fitting and consider how you may apply this knowledge in your clinical practice and manage your patients.

6.2 Be able to identify when you need to refer a patient in the interests of the patient’s health and safety, and make appropriate referrals.

7.2 Provide or arrange any further examinations, advice, investigations or treatment if required for your contact lens patient. This should be done in a timescale that does not compromise patient safety and care.

Professionalism

10.1 The ability to work collaboratively with colleagues within the optical professions and other healthcare practitioners when fitting contact lens patients, ensuring that your communication is clear and effective.

Specialty CPD - contact lens optician

Consider how you can manage your contact lens patients in collaboration with other optometric and medical practitioners to maintain patient safety and care but not burden the HES with unnecessary referrals

Specialty CPD - AS/SP/IP optometrist

Consider how you can use your IP experience to support and collaborate with colleagues both in practice and the hospital to maintain patient safety and care but reduce the burden on the HES and CPD information to be confirmed.

Chair

Indie Grewal FBCLA

Indie Grewal is an optometrist with over 30 years' experience within the optical industry. Shortly after qualifying, he joined Visioncare Research as a research optometrist. He opened his own Leightons franchise in St Albans in 2001, as well as participating in contact lens clinical trials. As well as running his own independent practice, Indie is a professional services consultant in myopia management for CooperVision. Indie’s passion for contact lenses has seen him work with major contact lens manufacturers and as a key opinion leader he has presented both in the UK and internationally. Indie is a fellow and past president of the BCLA.

Speaker

Professor Jonathan Jackson PhD FBCLA FCOptom DipTp(IP)

Jonathan  is a qualified optometrist with many years experience working in a secondary care hospital environment providing optometric cover in Corneal & Contact Lens clinics. His PhD from Queens University Belfast was on corneal endothelial morphology and he is a BCLA Fellow and has recently obtained BCLA Dry Eye Certification. 

His clinical and academic interests include therapeutic contact lenses, keratoconus and paediatric contact lenses.

Shreeti Lakhani FBCLA

Shreeti is a Consultant Optometrist at the contact lens service at Moorfields Eye Hospital. She has experience in both hospital and Moorfields private and has a passion for contact lenses. She has extensive experience in all types of medical contact lenses including keratoconus, high prescriptions and therapeutic lenses. She has a specialist interest in designing RGP corneal lenses, sclerals lenses and paediatric contact lenses. She is a fellow of the BCLA, has a diploma in clinical optometry, and is an independent prescriber and a pre-registration supervisor. She also works as an extended role optometrist in the A&E department at Moorfields.

Siobhan Wren

Siobhan is a Consultant Ophthalmologist, working in London at Imperial Healthcare NHS Trust and at the Kersley Eye Clinic in Harley Street. Her training has been in London, the South East and includes time spent in The Mayo Clinic in the US. Her medical contact lens practice has a practical and broad base, managing trauma, strabismus & ocular surface with poly-pharmacy. She educates patients on surgical pathway and understanding refractive options before & after surgery. She is very committed to providing contact lenses as part of hospital based medical management and in the training of ophthalmic trainees in an overlooked part of the curriculum.