For HCA’s/HCW’s, junior technicians who are new to ophthalmology who have no formal training as well as junior staff who have some experience but who are “learning on the job”.

The course gives a good basic understanding of ophthalmology and will inspire delegates to pursue further courses to build on their learning.

Course content

Interactive Quiz - Assessment of the groups current knowledge

Anatomy & Physiology of the Eye and its surrounding orbit & muscles

Assessing visual acuity – taking a Snellens vision with an over view of Logmar and other test types.

Understanding myopia/hypermetropia/presbyopia

Common ophthalmic conditions –

• Cataract
• Glaucoma
• Acute Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Diabetic Eye Disease – overview of diabetic retinopathy and the value of diabetic eye screening

Understanding what it’s like to be visually challenged –

• Looking at enhanced smell and sound.
• Walking a visually challenged patient and other simulation tests

Presenting conditions in Urgent Care -

• Minor - Conjuntivitis, abrasions, foreign bodies, sub conjuctival haemorrhages, dry eyes, ulcers
• Major - Retinal detachment, iritis, acute glaucoma, penetrating injuries

Overview of technical considerations –

• Theory behind taking visual fields and interpreting them.
• Basic imaging for diagnosis
• The value of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Flourescein Angiography and Anterior Segment imaging

Workshops in -

• Instilling drops/ointment – correct technique and legalities.
• Applying pads and pad & bandage
• Eyelid eversion
• Irrigation

The psychology of visual loss – benefits available, full and part registration.

What’s available for visually challenged people

Pub quiz. Consolidation of the day