Medical retina level 2 (College of Optometrists Professional Higher Certificate in Medical Retina) 2025

Medical retina level 2 (College of Optometrists Professional Higher Certificate in Medical Retina) 2025 is organized by Moorfields Education and will be held from Jan 01 - Jun 30, 2025 at MEH/UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, England, United Kingdom.

Description:
This course is designed to build up from Medical retina level 1 (The College of Optometrists Professional Certificate in Medical Retina) to further develop skills in screening, diagnosing and managing a variety of medical retina conditions. It is the taught part of the College of Optometrists Professional Higher Certificate in Medical Retina where a clinical placement is required.

Benefits of attending:
Following completion of the programme an optometrist should be able to demonstrate:

• An ability to use and interpret OCT imaging software and fundus photography to review data and make accurate diagnoses.
• An understanding of the principles of fluorescein/ICG angiography and autofluorescence in the differential diagnosis of macular disorders.
• an ability to differentially diagnose retinal and macular conditions and manage or refer as appropriate, including AMD, RVO/RAO, diabetic eye disease and inherited retinal disorders
• an ability to diagnose and make re-treat decisions for wet AMD according to local protocols in a consultant ophthalmologist-led pathway, including the ability to determine when further investigations are required in the event of atypical or sub-optimal responses to treatment
• an ability to detect the features needed to accurately grade diabetic retinopathy according to modified ETDRS criteria in addition to National Screening protocols
  communication skills to discuss with patients and other colleagues about diagnosis and potential management options
• clinical history taking and interpretation
• practical fundus examination skills

List of topics:

• Communication and examination skills - This module covers essentials of consent, communication with patients and colleagues, and key clinical examination techniques.
• Advanced investigative techniques - Topics within this module include advanced OCT analysis, OCT-A, FFA, ICG, FAF, and electrophysiology testing.
• CNVM - Topics include principles of wet AMD, other causes of CNVM and treatment protocols.
• Vasculopathies - This module will go into diagnosis and management of key retinal vasculopathies, such as RVO, retinal emboli, AION and other miscellaneous vasculopathies.
• Retinal pathology and treatment - Here we will delve into inherited retinal dystrophies, retinal detachments and tears, retinal laser, uveitis and other lesions of the retina.
• Diabetes - Topics will include further information on diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy, key studies and advanced management of diabetic retinopathy.
• Differential diagnosis of clinical signs - Topics will include Retinal haemorrhages, OCT signs and indications, and differential diagnosis of optic disc swelling.
• Common vitreous pathologies - Topics will include common vitreous opacities and other vitreomacular disorders.
• Professional development - Topics will include clinical governance, professional development and audits.