Bill Harvey: Interaction with the public and each other

This week we are running two distance learning CET articles and so can offer a point to each of the four registerable target groups. The first is an overview of dry eye disease and blepharitis. This is an extensive review of the literature concerning the definitions of these common concerns and the best approach to their management. Increasing numbers of practitioners are dedicating clinics to manage the concerns of patients complaining of dryness and ocular irritation and there is no doubt that the demands of modern lifestyle have increased the prevalence of these symptoms.

Some years ago I hosted a round table where optometrists, general practitioners and pharmacists discussed dry eye. At that time, and probably still today, the majority of patients with eye concerns, even the most minor in nature, would most likely report this first to their doctor and then to a pharmacist. It soon became clear that the GPs were very keen for these patients to be seen by someone else, and both the GPs and the pharmacists appeared surprised that there were alternatives to their universal offering of hypromellose drops. This whole area represents an excellent opportunity for better use of the primary care sector to the benefit of the patient.