Docet webinar: Vitreomacular interface disorders for optometrists

CPD Ref: C- 113699
Join Docet for this live webinar where Mr Kam Balaggan will provide optometrists with an in-depth overview of vitreomacular conditions commonly encountered in everyday practice.

As optometrists, we are more frequently seeing ocular pathology, due to increasing use of fundus imaging and OCTs in high street practice. This presentation will review pathologies most often seen in practice, discuss investigations and differential diagnosis and provide practical guidance on appropriate management or referral.

Domains covered

Communication Clinical practice

In this one-hour webinar, funded by Docet and managed by The College of Optometrists, consultant ophthalmologist Mr Kam Balaggan will provide an overview of vitreomacular conditions commonly encountered in everyday practice. He will review pathologies most often seen in practice, discuss investigations and differential diagnosis and provide practical guidance on appropriate management or referral.

The focus of this talk will be in the following areas:

understanding of the pathogenesis of VMI disorders
diagnosis in your practice
appropriate in-practice management and referral
counselling of your patient
understanding of modern treatments and outcomes

Question and Answer session
At the end of the webinar, Mr Balaggan 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. S. 5 Keep your knowledge and skills up to date

Able to interpret fundus images and OCT scans and understands when there are signs of vitreomacular disease
Understands current treatments and management of vitreomacular disorders

S. 6 Recognise, and work within, your limits of competence

Recognises when a patient needs to be referred to an ophthalmologist for further investigation of vitreomacular conditions

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

Able to examine and assess patients presenting with signs and symptoms suggestive of vitreomacular conditions and refer appropriately

Communication

s.2 Communicate effectively with patients

Able to effectively explain to patients presenting with vitreomacular pathology about their condition and appropriate management plan

Kam Balaggan BSc (Hons), MBBS, FRCOphth, PhD (Genetics)

Mr Balaggan is a consultant ophthalmologist at Wolverhampton Hospital. He has completed Fellowships in vitreoretinal surgery, and in medical retina, at Moorfields Eye Hospital and specialises in modern micro-incision sutureless vitrectomy surgery and micro-incision cataract surgery, in addition to treating medical retina conditions.

Mr Balaggan has an outstanding track record in research and teaching. During his time at University College London he developed cutting-edge novel retinal gene therapies for macular degeneration and inherited retinal disorders. He was awarded a PhD for this work and has authored 30 peer-reviewed publications. He has given numerous lectures nationally and internationally relating to his research, as well as peer reviews for six scientific journals.

He has co-pioneered a highly successful lecture and patient practical based teaching program for local optometrists to substantially enhance their skills in detecting emergency vitreoretinal disorders.