UK dry eye optometrists

[littlemermaid]

Tutors Caroline Christie, Teifi James and Andy Clark
Venue - City University
Date - 12th September 2011 from 10:00 to 17:00

Course/products for optometrists. Optom list may support us with eg testing or chronic blepharitis. 'Upon completion of a short test successful attendees will also become recommended dry eye practitioners on the Spectrum Thea website.'
http://www.spectrum-thea.co.uk/the-dry-eye-project.aspx

UK Royal College of Optometrists clinical management and referral guidelines http://www.college-optometrists.org/...nt_guidelines/. Beware: huge variation in knowledge and training.

[lizlou29]

I see this is in it's 4th year now http://www.optometry.co.uk/news-and-.../?article=5463

What has been the result of this project? I know all increased knowledge of dry eye is great but does it basically mean they will say they are dry eye specialists, of which there are actually very few, then push lots of Spectrum Thea products on us? I'm not bashing it just curious.

[littlemermaid]

Looks like another money-spinner is 'ocular hygienist'.

[littlemermaid]

Here is the portal http://www.eyedropsdatabase.co.uk/

[littlemermaid]

Local optometrist? Or straight to Eye Casualty?

Some UK NHS local Clinical Commissioning Groups have funded optometrists for 'minor eye condition' services for free appointments. Check local websites: CCG, LOCSU, healthboard. Eg http://www.oxfordshireloc.org.uk/public/minor/ lists funded optometrists, for local GP registered patients.

Go direct to Eye Casualty if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Worst ever painful, red eye
• Recent trauma or surgery to the eye
• Sudden, sustained loss of vision (less than 48 hours)
• Sudden onset double vision (less than 48 hours)
• Sudden onset flashes (less than 1 week) with blur, veils, curtains in vision
• Swollen eyelids with red, painful, bulgy eye, double or blurry vision
• Transient vision loss with headaches and soreness of scalp or jaw
• Painful eye with droopy eyelid, double vision and large pupil size.
• Previous history of iritis or anterior uveitis

Beware sales. But good for referral.