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Docet webinar: PAC, PACS, and PACS+ in Focus: A guide for optometrists

Domains covered
Professionalism Clinical practice

CPD ref: C-111174

In this live webinar, Ms Nishani Amerasinghe, a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon based at the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, will give an overview of PAC, PACG and PACS. She will discuss how to investigate those at risk of the condition, help to understand presenting symptoms, look at examination techniques, including assessing the anterior chamber and angle, and outline how to manage patients appropriately. 

CPD
1
Glaucoma OCT Docet Event Professionalism Clinical practice Webinar

About the webinar

In 2022, the Royal College of Ophthalmologists issued updated guidelines on managing angle closure disease. Hospital eye service referral and prophylactic treatment are now recommended only for primary angle closure suspect (PACS) with additional features (PACS plus).

In this one-hour webinar, funded by Docet and managed by The College of Optometrists, Ms Nishani Amerasinghe, a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon based at the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, will give an overview of PAC, PACG and PACS. She will: 

  • discuss how to investigate those at risk of the condition
  • help to understand presenting symptoms
  • look at examination techniques, including assessing the anterior chamber and angle
  • outline how to manage patients appropriately

Examinations currently used in the community such as Van Herricks assessment and the use of anterior OCT will be discussed, particularly as OCT is now widely available in community practice. Ms Amerasinghe will cover the following areas: 

  • defining the terms and classification associated with Primary Angle Closure Disease
  • epidemiology and risk factors
  • results of ZAP trial
  • diagnosis of the disease
  • Royal College of Ophthalmologists Guidelines in Management of Angle Closure Glaucoma
  • EAGLE trial results

This webinar is targeted towards community optometrists so they can improve their skills and confidence in identifying patients at risk of the condition and ensure they refer patients appropriately.

Question and answer session

At the end of the webinar Ms Amerasinghe 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

Professionalism 

s.10 Work collaboratively with colleagues in the interests of patients

  • Understands the Royal College of Ophthalmologists’ guidelines for the detection and management of primary angle closure disease and so be able to refer patients appropriately

Clinical Practice

s.5 Keep your knowledge and skills up to date

  • Understands the signs and symptoms of acute angle closure and related glaucomatous disease

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

  • Able to examine patients presenting with suspect PAC and be able to use the various methods to evaluate the anterior chamber including Van-Herrick grading and anterior segment OCT and so refer appropriately
Glaucoma is best identified by using a range of tests. When all clinical findings align, learn to trust yourself. Fabulous presentation, very useful and on-point. Probably the best I’ve seen in this cycle.
Attendee, Recorded Lecture ‘Glaucoma - The optic disc challenge’

Speaker

Nishani Amerasinghe MBBS BSc(Hons) FRCOphth

Consultant Ophthalmologist & Glaucoma Specialist

Ms. Nishani Amerasinghe is a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, specialising in glaucoma and cataract surgery. Renowned for her expertise, she employs advanced techniques, including Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty, conventional glaucoma surgeries (aqueous shunt and trabeculectomy), and minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS). 

As President of the UK & Eire Glaucoma Society in 2024, she promoted knowledge-sharing, research, and inclusivity within the glaucoma specialty, and continues to support the Society's initiatives as immediate past president.

An accomplished academic and speaker, Ms. Amerasinghe frequently lectures on Angle Closure Disease and glaucoma surgery at national and international conferences. She has won numerous academic awards and authored pivotal publications, including the British Medical Journal Best Practice guidelines for Primary Open Angle Glaucoma 2024. Her research includes a landmark study on the heritability of Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma, conducted with Singapore National Eye Centre and University College London, as well as leading a multi-centre project on Open Angle Glaucoma management.

Ms. Amerasinghe is passionate about training, working with trainees and international peers on courses such as the West African College of Surgeons/Moorfields Trabeculectomy Course. Beyond medicine, she undertook the Everest in Alps 2023 challenge, raising funds and awareness for glaucoma research.

Terms and conditions

  • To attend this webinar you must be a GOC registered optometrist practising in England, Wales or Northern Ireland
  • To obtain your interactive CPD point you must ensure the following standards are met:
    • a minimum attendance of 50 minutes
    • complete a minimum of 4 out of 6 polls

Optometrists who are only practising in Scotland, students and pre-registration trainees are not eligible to attend this webinar. 

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