Free to download – The Routine Exam – this podcast lecture with accompanying notes is sponsored by CLEARVIEW Training Pre-Registration Courses and Flame Health Ltd. 

The Routine Exam, is a 60 minute audio presentation by Jane Macnaughton. Fully supported with accompanying slides, this podcast is aimed at trainees preparing for a Key Skills Routine Assessment in the College of Optometrist’s Scheme for Registration.

It is also useful for those studying the following core subjects: Communication Skills, Professional Conduct and Visual Function, and those preparing for the Non EEA/EU Qualified Optometrists Examinations

The lecture is free to download: 

Please refer to the accompanying notes which are available for download.

Download a copy of the accompying notes and slides here. Save the file to your desktop first and open in a seperate window so that they may be viewed whilst listening to the presentation.

Additional Documents:

Routine checklist

College of Optometrists Routine Exam Sheet

Discaimer and Copyright Statement

This podcast is protected by copyright. Unauthorised copying and distribution is strictly prohibited.

Share This

CET  C9366. In this audio podcast and text-based distance learning article,  Priya Dabasia discusses the history of retinal imaging and focuses on techniques both used on the high street and in hospital clinics. Instruments discussed include fundus cameras, Optical Coherance Tomography, Heidel Retinal Tomograph, GDx scanning laser polarimetry and widefield photography. With 8 out of 10 practices offering a form of retinal imaging this article revises the theory behind these imaging systems.

This article has been accredited 2 General CET points for both GOC registered Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians and 1 CET Point for AOI registered Optometrists.

Completion date by 30th June 2009

• To appreciate the history of fundus imaging
• To understand the advantages of imaging the posterior pole over indirect and direct methods of ophthlamoscopic examination
• To understand the techniques involved in imaging the posterior pole, including the OCT, HRT and GDx
• To appreciate the place for using such techniques in improving diagnostic techniques
• To appreciate the incorporation of imaging techniques in shared care schemes and national eye care pathways

Download a copy of the FULL TEXT article C9366

Download a copy of the MCQ test for C9366 here

Share This

Injury hit the team. Damaged leg muscles prevented David Cartwright in joining the team at the last minute and so we were down to six. But that did not stop us.

Fighting for Sight and fighting fittish the final six in ‘Frannie’s Team’ gathered in central London early on Sunday morning to run in the Asics British 10k London Run. 

Although rain was forecast, it managed to hold off for most of the race, which began at Hyde Park Corner and took in some great London sights including the Mall, Trafalgar Square, St Paul’s and Westminster bridge, to end at the Cenotaph on Horseguard’s parade.

We all completed the course successfully and in respectable times on either side of the one hour which stood as the challenge for most runners.

Rowena Finn and her team of Fight for Sight supporters were cheering us on as we came around St Paul’s Cathedral.

Other memorable moments included Scott unsuccessfully hurdling a ‘Road Closed’ sign and scraping an arm in the process just minutes before the start; Optometry Blog contributor, Priya Morjaria (running for VAO) and Jane Macnaughton crossing the finish line together, and the tune of the Damn Busters and cheers of the thousands of supporters encouraging all runners to keep going right up to the finish line.

A huge thanks must go to all of our supporters who have given generously to the Fight for Sight cause. Donations are still coming in and it is soon hoped that we total over £2,500.

See how much we have raised here.

It is still too soon to say ‘same time next year?’ but I believe Mr and Mrs Mackie are in constant competition to beat each others’ time. So watch this space.

Thank you to all,

Jane, Scott, Francesca, Tony, Sanjay and Kam

Share This

The introduction of RGP materials has reduced sequelae, and has enabled a simpler fitting process. Scleral lenses are now an option for all grades of pathology where there is a contact lens indication”

Presentations and topics for discussion include:

Indications for scleral lenses
Keratoconus and primary corneal ectasias
Post corneal transplant
Aphakia and myopia
The abnormal ocular surface

Traditional and modern clinical methods
Gas permeable non ventilated scleral lens clinical methods
Preformed fenestrated for PMMA and gas permeable
Impression techniques for PMMA and gas permeable
Controlled clearance scleral lens fitting
‘Mini-sclerals’ – the place for smaller diameter scleral  lenses

The problem areas with scleral lenses

Practical ‘hands-on’ session

Demonstration of scleral lenses in action

The dates for the Seminars are:

Thursday / Friday 18th and 19th September 2008
Saturday 22nd November 2008

CET points have been applied for and they are expecting 20 to be available for the September meeting. The September meeting includes a high element of hands on and demonstration time and is therefore limited to 6 delegates only. November 22nd is a lecture and discussion programme.

The November date is immediately following the annual Medical Contact Lens and Ocular Surface (MCLOSA) conference, a highly recommended day. There is a short introductory scleral lens presentation in this year’s contact lens session.

MCLOSA 15th Annual Scientific Meeting details:

21st November 2008
Venue: The Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AG

Contact: Kate Martin, general secretary

Tel: +44 (0)121 507 6849      Fax: +44 (0)121 507 6853
E-mail:            secretary@mclosa.org.uk

Internet:           www.mclosa.org.uk

For further information about the Sclerals Seminar, please contact:

Mrs Jill Ludlow
Administrator
Innovative Sclerals Ltd, 73 Railway Street, Hertford, Herts, SG14 1RP, UK
Tel  +44 (0) 1992 559001
Fax  +44 (0) 1992 501896
E mail info@sclerals.com
Internet www.sclerals.com

Share This

According to Joe at Senior Internet “There is nothing little about it with the course of events scheduled to be 1500m Swim, 40k Bike, 10k run!”

Any support would be greatly appreciated and people can donate at http://www.justgiving.com/timandjoetriathlon

Share This

CET C9375: The Significance Of The Minkwitz Condition Upon The Field Of View Of Progressive Power Lenses

This month from Essilor we are hosting a free CET article open to all UK registered Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians.

This article is written by Professor Mo Jalie SMSA, FBDO (Hons), Hon FCGI, Hon FCOptom, MIMgt. Professor Jalie is visiting Professor in Optometry at the University of Ulster, Coleraine. He taught ophthalmic lenses and dispensing in the Department of Applied Optics, City & East London College for thirty years and was Head of Department from 1985 to 1995.

This article takes a detailed look at the impact of moving the progressive surface from the front to the rear of a lens. The article covers an overview of the Minkwitz theorem, which highlights the affect of progression length on unwanted astigmatism. Professor Jalie given a detailed explanation along with field of view calculations through a progressive lens with the progression on both the rear and front lens surfaces. An overview of the latest “free-form” surfacing generators is also given.

Learning Objectives:

Following this article delegates will have a much greater understanding of,

• How the length of the progression affects the amount of unwanted surface astigmatism
• How the field of view is specified for a spectacle lens
• How the position of a progressive surface affects field of view, and
• How the latest surfacing technology allows for the location of the progressive surface to be placed on the rear or front surface of the lens

This article has been accredited for 1 General CET point.

The deadline for responses is 30th June 2009

Download a copy of CET article C9375 

Download a copy of the MCQs for article C9375

Share This

Francesca Marchetti College Councilor for the West Midlands, has bravely put together a team of ‘runners’ from the College of Optometrists Council.

In aid of Fight for Sight, the team, which includes Scott Mackie, David Cartwright, Tony Trowsdale, Kamlesh Gohill, Sanjay Patel and Jane Macnaughton, will be running in the London 10K on July 6th.

We are appealing for your support. Please visit our Just Giving page and make a donation.

All of your proceeds will go to Fight for Sight.

The team is now on the last leg of their grueling training regime.

One additional non-practicing member has since joined the training team…

Share This

The NLH Eyes & Vision Specialist Library presents a collection of evidence that has emerged over the past 12 months since the AMD National Knowledge Week in June 2007.

Flame Health, in association with CLEARVIEW Training, invites you to attend an informal training event at their central Nottingham offices on Thursday the 4th of September. This event is aimed at Pre-Registration Optometrists and will consist of two presentations throughout the course of the evening.

I would imagine that most of you have a good idea of what direction you would like to go in whether it is permanent, locum, part time, full time or maybe sitting on a beach for a few weeks relaxing! However in order to get our ideal position we normally have to go through a series of interviews and this process is something which most people find quite difficult or uncomfortable.

As an antidote to this you can post a question to me and I will do my best to help you (or you can email me at david@ukoptometry.co.uk if you prefer to remain anonymous!) The questions can be around salary, benefits or interview techniques and for those who dont know who I am, you can see my biography by clicking here

Good Luck.

Share This