Sound Optometry

In recent years, there have been a number of exciting new treatments for glaucoma, a sight-threatening condition that is increasing in prevalence as the population ages. These innovations ensure that patients no longer face a binary choice between eye drops and invasive surgery.  In this episode, Michelle Hanratty is joined by optometrist Matt Roney and ophthalmologist Neeru Vallabh at the Royal L...

The UK government has recently finished consulting on proposals to introduce mandatory eyesight testing for drivers aged 70 and over as part of the licence renewal process. The current vision standards for driving have been in place since the 1930s, and several tragic cases in which poor eyesight has contributed to fatal collisions have highlighted why many believe reform is long overdue. No matte...

Last year, the Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) released the DEWS III report — a clinical roadmap for managing dry eye disease (DED). TFOS DEWS III incorporates the latest research and is designed to give optometrists clarity on how to improve clinical practice. Reflecting a wealth of new evidence, the new guidelines have refined the definition of DED, changing some diagnostic criteri...

When we think about binocular vision (BV), we typically focus on the paediatric cohort. But there are hundreds of thousands of adults across the UK who have developed BV issues later in life, including double vision. This can be a clinical challenge that not every optometrist is confident in managing. Many of these patients struggle with their daily activities. Some people lose hope that their vis...

More than 1,500 cataract operations are carried out every day across the UK, making it one of the most common types of elective surgery undertaken by the NHS. But there are significant challenges facing cataract service delivery, with many patients — especially those with co-morbidities — struggling to access timely care. Could innovations help? In this episode, Michelle Hanratty asks Dr David Loc...

Vitreoretinal problems can arise as a natural part of ageing but in some patients, something more sinister could be at play. What are the signs of vitreomacular interface disorder pathogenesis that optometrists should be picking up on in practice?  In this episode, Michelle Hanratty is in conversation with Mr Kam Balaggan, a consultant in cataract and vitreoretinal surgery at Wolverhampton Eye Inf...

It’s thought that over half of the world’s population experience a headache disorder, and almost all of us have experienced the symptoms at some point in our lives. Headaches can be caused by many different factors — both visual and non-visual — and their severity can vary massively. When optometrists are examining patients, it’s not always clear how concerned to be or what to do next. After all,...

Skin conditions are very common in the UK; for example, up to 30% of children and 10% of adults suffer from eczema. Dermatological problems can cause great discomfort or they could be the sign of a more serious underlying health condition. If the eye area is affected by a skin condition, optometrists are in a good position to help patients early-on, especially as it can sometimes be difficult to a...

As we heard in episode 51, around a third of people affected by brain tumours report a problem with their vision. That’s why optometrists are uniquely placed to catch suspicious signs early and refer patients into hospital for further checks.  In the second of two episodes on brain tumours and neuro-ophthalmology, Michelle Hanratty speaks to Lorcan Butler, an optometrist and the Optical Engagement...

A brain tumour is an abnormal growth or mass of cells in or around the brain. They can be life-threatening and their incidence is increasing in the UK, as the population gets older. Around a third of people affected by a brain tumour report a problem with their vision. That’s why optometrists are uniquely placed to catch suspicious signs early and refer patients into hospital for further checks. Y...

Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness among working age people worldwide. But thanks to the Diabetic Eye Screening Programme and an improved understanding of the impact of glycaemic control on diabetic retinopathy, there has been a significant reduction in the level of sight-loss in England and Wales. By catching the early signs of disease, eye care practitioners play a vital role i...

Since COVID-19, a greater number of enhanced optometric services have been rolled out across much of the UK. These pathways have been proven to reduce the burden on secondary care, reduce patient waiting times and have saved the NHS millions of pounds. As a result, Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) have commissioned optometric services far beyond CUES, MECS and pre- and post- operative cataracts. For...

Primary angle closure disease is more common in the UK than was initially thought and it is important for optometrists to understand the condition’s stages of progression; from primary angle closure suspect (PACS), to primary angle closure (PAC) and primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG). PACG is the stage we want to avoid, where structural damage to the optic nerve and loss of visual function have...

Stress and burnout, which we explored in the last episode of Sound Optometry, is far from uncommon in optometrists. In this episode, Michelle Hanratty uncovers the severe implications that chronic stress can have on the health of optometrists in the future. How can we reverse its damage? Michelle is joined by Professor Anna Whittaker, a health psychologist at the University of Stirling, who highli...

A study conducted in Australia found that around half of optometrists experience burnout. One in every three optometrists also live with a mental health condition. We all know what workplace stress can feel like, but few of us can probably spot the signs of long-term stress turning into burnout. That can lead to even more serious mental health challenges and can affect how we care for our patients...

One in three people born in the UK today will go on to develop dementia — a term used to describe a range of neurological conditions that cause the loss of cognitive functioning. It’s been established that dementia can affect vision and recently, researchers have realised that visual impairment is a modifiable risk factor for dementia, too. In other words, vision correction can, at the very least,...

Optometrists commonly encounter corneal conditions in practice—such as keratoconus, Fuch’s endothelial corneal dystrophy and recurrent corneal epithelial erosion syndrome. As Professor Sai Kolli explains in this podcast, the management of corneal dystrophies may involve monitoring, therapeutic treatment or onward referral, depending on their severity. Michelle Hanratty also hears from Christina an...

Vision standards and occupational eye testing can have profound consequences on patients and their families, especially when children are weighing up their career prospects. It’s therefore important that optometrists understand how tests are carried out and the implications of their results. In this episode, Michelle Hanratty takes a trip to the vision research centre at City St George's, Universi...

As it is a condition that comes on with ageing, presbyopia is something that optometrists very commonly encounter in practice. For most people who develop long-sightedness, their eyesight is easily corrected with spectacles and sometimes contact lenses. But many patients seek to reduce their dependence on spectacles and that’s where refractive surgery can provide a welcome solution. In this episod...

Gene therapy is one of the most exciting areas of modern medicine. In eye care, they promise to restore the vision of patients with both rare genetic eye diseases, such as a certain type of inherited retinal dystrophy, as well as more common conditions that have genetic components, like AMD.  In this episode, Michelle Hanratty uncovers how gene therapies work with Omar Mahoo, a consultant ophthalm...

Half of the population experience menopause, but its effects are wide-ranging and poorly understood. In this episode, Michelle Hanratty investigates how menopause can affect the eye — from inflammatory changes, such as blepharitis, to dry eye disease and even an association with glaucoma. Michelle examines the scientific research with Stuti Misra, an Associate Professor in ophthalmology at Univers...

Complaints are a normal part of a patient-facing industry, like optometry — from problems with prescriptions to quibbles about customer service. Therefore, handling complaints in a professional manner is an essential part of the GOC’s Standards of Practice. In this episode, Michelle Hanratty hears from Dawn Slocombe, a Complaints Resolution Manager at the Optical Consumer Complaints Service (OCCS)...

In optometry, exciting new products or treatments are constantly coming onto the market. As practitioners, we need to keep our knowledge up-to-date, so that we can offer solutions to our patients if they present with an ocular condition. But is the evidence strong enough to make a recommendation or to provide that treatment?  In this episode, Michelle Hanratty taps into the expertise of IP optomet...

Ocular allergy can be more complicated than the seasonal conjunctivitis that optometrists see frequently in practice. To treat allergic reactions effectively, it’s important to understand how the immune system works. In this episode, Michelle and Dr Peter Frampton, an optometrist at Aaron Optometrists in the North of England, discuss the four types of immune reactions, or “allergies”, that can be...

Children with special educational needs (SEN) are 28 times more likely to have a problem with their vision—or how their brains interpret vision—than their peers. It’s essential that optometrists understand how to make appointments as successful as possible for SEN children and their families. In this episode, Michelle Hanratty asks Ellie Hughes, Assistant Headteacher and Sensory Impairment Lead at...