In Optician 06.01.23, Dr Neema Ghorbani Mojarrad and Sophie Coverdale offered an overview of orthokeratology; the use of reverse curve rigid lenses in overnight wear to redistribute the corneal epithelium to affect refractive correction. This will now serve as the source material for a new interactive CPD exercise.

Once considered a niche discipline, orthokeratology has evolved, largely due to advances in rigid lens materials and designs and improved access to instrumentation allowing better corneal profiling and lens ordering and evaluation. In recent years, the use of orthokeratology as a means of myopia management has repositioned the technique well within eye care practice, and increasing numbers of eye care professionals are looking to develop their skills in this area.

This interactive exercise is very much aimed at generating discussion among readers yet to consider themselves experienced in orthokeratology.

Case Scenario

Two young, spectacle-wearing parents bring their nine-year-old son to see you. Their main concern was that their son, who had been confirmed to be myopic one year previously, would continue to need ‘stronger and stronger glasses’ at every future eye check. His refractive error is as follows:

  • R: -1.25 / -0.25 x 175 (6/5)
  • L: -1.00 / -0.25 x 180  (6/5)

This equates to approximately a half dioptre myopic progression over the past 12 months. Concerned about this progression and having read about possible adverse effects of myopia on eye health, the parents are keen to know more about myopia management. Consider the following questions for your discussion:

  1. When asked about myopia management, would you describe all the various methods shown to have some effect? If not, explain why.
  2. The parents have been told about orthokeratology and ask your advice about the technique. What are the pros and cons and might it be suitable for this child?
  3. In terms of equipment, what do you consider the minimum instrumentation to be able to undertake orthokeratology successfully?

Remember, there are no right or wrong answers, all submissions are read in complete confidence, and the CPD point is an interactive one awarded upon evidence of a healthy debate on the topic.

Interactive CPD Instructions

In order to be able to log one provider-led interactive CPD point to your MyCPD account, this is what you need to do:

  • Make sure you have read the article ‘BCLA CLEAR – Orthokeratology’ by Dr Neema Ghorbani Mojarrad and Sophie Coverdale..
  • Arrange a time to undertake a discussion on the subject with a similarly qualified registrant; another optometrist or dispensing optician.
  • Read the case scenario and questions (above) and use them as the basis for the discussion with your colleague. Note, the discussion needs to address each of the questions outlined above and must be for longer than 10 minutes.
  • When finished, you then need to send an email to ‘opticiancpd@markallengroup.com’ as follows;
    • Subject box should state ‘CLEAR Interactive 6’
    • Please state your name and GOC number
    • Please state the name and GOC number of the person you discussed the matter with
    • Please confirm you had read the source material
    • Please include a summary of your discussion, explaining your views and thoughts on each of the three discussion questions
  • Each submission will be read individually and, where needed, feedback will be given directly. Where the submission meets a required standard, you will receive an email confirming this which you can then use as evidence of completion allowing you to log one distance learning interactive CPD point.
  • A summary of the responses and discussions will appear in a future issue of Optician with comment from the authors 
  • Neil Retallic is President of the BCLA.

Reference

  1. Vincent SJ et al. BCLA CLEAR - Orthokeratology. Contact Lens & Anterior Eye, 2021;44(2):240-69