Scotland gears up for GOS

The venues have been announced for Scotland's competency training workshops. Attendance is compulsory for optometrists who wish to participate in the new GOS contract in Scotland.

The workshops begin at the end of this month, and will be based on four compulsory competencies: interpretation of threshold visual fields (including record keeping), slit-lamp biomicroscopy, Volk lens-aided binocular indirect ophthalmology and applanation tonometry.

The dates are as follows: Glasgow Caledonian University (January 29); Edinburgh Conference Centre, Heriot Watt University (February 3); Drumossie Hotel, Inverness (Feb 15); Glasgow Caledonian University (Feb 19); Stirling Management Centre, Stirling University (Feb 26);

Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (March 3); Glasgow Caledonian University (March 12); Edinburgh Conference Centre, Heriot Watt University (March 22); Ayr Racecourse (March 24); and Glasgow Caledonian University (March 26).

Optometry Scotland has advised contract optometrists to use an indirect fundus viewing lens. For undilated patients, lenses like the Superfield or the Super-vitreo are recommended. For dilated patients, a choice of fundus viewing lens is recommended, a lower power to give magnification of specific lesions or areas and a higher power for good field of view in multifocal lesions, such as retinopathy.

Direct ophthalmoscopy or handheld 'indirect' instruments (such as the PanOptic) are acceptable for domiciliary visits.

For repeat pressure testing and referral, a contact tonometer is necessary (Goldmann or Perkins). Field assessment must be of the central 30 degrees and capable of full threshold testing.

For the full equipment list go to www.opticianonline.net