By Jason Higginbotham BSc(Hons) MCOptom FBDO and Mike Horler BSc(Hons) MCOptom Cert Oc Pharm Oc Therapeutics
This CPD course is now available on Specsavers MyCPD Portal.
OCT enables the detection of many forms of eye disease, often much sooner than we might have otherwise been able to identify them. However, there is a concern within ophthalmology that the early identification of eye conditions using these devices will lead to a flurry of referrals to secondary care, many of which will be false positive. This need not be the case provided that good training is offered to practitioners.
The aim of this article is to review how the OCT can assist in our detection of a multitude of ocular conditions and consider the appropriate timescale of any secondary care referral. When considering patients for referral, please consider your local hospital protocols, where they exist.
Urgency of referral:
1. EMERGENCY — same day
2. URGENT — within 1–2 weeks
3. SOON — within one month
4. ROUTINE — within three months
5. OPTOM MANAGED — not referred
To read more and complete the learning objectives of this course please log into MyCPD.