Sight impairment: To refer or not to refer? That is the question

Cirta Tooth takes a look at sight impairment registration and what knowledge and skills can help the eye care professional to decide for which patients a referral is warranted for certification (C102141, suitable for one distance learning CPD point for optometrists and dispensing opticians)

BCLA CLEAR interactive 1: Anatomy and physiology of the eye (discussion)

Neil Retallic introduces a new interactive CPD exercise aimed at encouraging discussion about the importance of understanding the nature of the ocular surface as a way of predicting contact lens wear success (C102054, suitable for logging as one interactive CPD point for optometrists, dispensing opticians and contact lens opticians)

Fundamentals of ophthalmic dispensing part 26: Presbyopia 4

The previous three articles relating to presbyopia have dealt with the routine cases and common problems associated with poor quality dispensing of progressive lenses. In this fourth article, Tina Arbon Black and Peter Black consider challenging presbyopic prescriptions and patient scenarios whose very nature makes problems likely even if frame selection, lens measurements and refraction are performed perfectly. (C101834, suitable for logging as one provider-led distance learning CPD point for optometrists and dispensing opticians)

Alzheimer’s interactive (discussion)

Bill Harvey introduces a new interactive CPD exercise based on two recent features looking into the disease and its impact on communication and vision (C101678, suitable for one interactive CPD point for optometrists and dispensing opticians)

BCLA CLEAR 1: Anatomy and physiology of the eye

In the first in a series of articles summarising the key findings of the BCLA CLEAR publication, a major review of the published evidence base relating to all aspects of contact lens practice, Neil Retallic and Dr Debarun Dutta offer an overview of the BCLA CLEAR section relating to the anatomy and physiology of the eye. (C101587, suitable for one distance learning CPD point for optometrists, contact lens opticians and dispensing opticians)

Radiofrequency surgery in optometry

Dr Michael Johnson describes a procedure that will allow optometrists to remove benign lid lesions in practice (C101411, suitable for one CPD point logged by optometrists and specialty optometrists)

Dispensing interactive 1

In the first of a series of interactive exercises aimed at encouraging discussion about dispensing skills, Peter Black describes a case of intolerance to a recently dispensed pair of progressive power lenses (C101524, suitable as an interactive CPD point for optometrists and dispensing opticians)

Fundamentals of ophthalmic dispensing part 25: Presbyopia 3

In this the third article in this series concentrating on correction of presbyopia Peter Black and Tina Arbon Black take a look at progressive-power lenses (C101359, may be used as one provider-led distance learning CPD point for optometrists and dispensing opticians)

Alzheimer’s disease and vision

Cirta Tooth describes the impact of Alzheimer’s disease upon vision and offers two case studies illustrating how both basic and higher function can be affected. (C101275)

Communicating with the dementia patient

Tallulah Harvey discusses the nature of dementia and its impact upon the patient, and how understanding this may help the eye care professional best best communicate with them (C101276)

Getting to grips with soft contact lens handling

Neil Retallic and Dr Manbir Nagra discuss the results of a major survey of patients concerning their challenges in handling soft contact lenses and consider how this may influence our initial instructions to patients to ensure future successful wear (C101101, completion can be used for logging one distance learning CPD point suitable for optometrists, dispensing opticians and contact lens opticians)

CPD case studies

Bill Harvey introduces a new format for readers to send in their case studies and have the opportunity to earn an interactive CPD point

Cycloplegia interactive

Following on from last week’s distance learning feature looking at cycloplegic refraction, Sosena Tang and Bill Harvey present an interactive exercise on the subject which aims to stimulate discussion about how best to use cycloplegia in community practice (C100991, one interactive CPD point for optometrists and dispensing opticians)

Cycloplegic refraction 1

Sosena Tang reviews the mechanisms behind accommodation and how it affects refraction, the availability of cycloplegic drugs for optometrists, and how and when to use them. Case examples of post-cycloplegic prescribing are also presented

Low vision practice VRICS

Bill Harvey introduces a VRICS exercise aimed focusing on some of the adaptations to the routine eye examination that are required in low vision clinic

Fundamentals of ophthalmic dispensing part 24: Presbyopia 2

Modern presbyopes have a huge selection of vision correction options from which to choose. In this article Tina Arbon Black and Peter Black discuss the ‘old-fashioned’ options of two separate pairs and segmented lenses which still have an important place in the optician’s armoury (C100919; suitable as one provider-led distance learning CPD point for optometrists and dispensing opticians)