In time for the new cohort of trainees, the Optometry Blog is proud to host a new concept in pre-registration training: podcast lectures. 
Free to download – The Routine Exam – this podcast lecture with accompanying notes is sponsored by CLEARVIEW Training Pre-Registration Courses and Flame Health Ltd.
The Routine Exam, is a 60 minute audio presentation by Jane Macnaughton. Fully supported with accompanying slides, this podcast is aimed at trainees preparing for a Key Skills Routine Assessment in the College of Optometrist’s Scheme for Registration.
It is also useful for those studying the following core subjects: Communication Skills, Professional Conduct and Visual Function, and those preparing for the Non EEA/EU Qualified Optometrists Examinations
The lecture is free to download:
Please refer to the accompanying notes which are available for download.
Download a copy of the accompying notes and slides here. Save the file to your desktop first and open in a seperate window so that they may be viewed whilst listening to the presentation.
Additional Documents:
College of Optometrists Routine Exam Sheet
Discaimer and Copyright Statement
This podcast is protected by copyright. Unauthorised copying and distribution is strictly prohibited.
(Contains Audio)
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CET C9366. In this audio podcast and text-based distance learning article, Priya Dabasia discusses the history of retinal imaging and focuses on techniques both used on the high street and in hospital clinics. Instruments discussed include fundus cameras, Optical Coherance Tomography, Heidel Retinal Tomograph, GDx scanning laser polarimetry and widefield photography. With 8 out of 10 practices offering a form of retinal imaging this article revises the theory behind these imaging systems.
This article has been accredited 2 General CET points for both GOC registered Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians and 1 CET Point for AOI registered Optometrists.
Completion date by 30th June 2009
Download a copy of the FULL TEXT article C9366
Download a copy of the MCQ test for C9366 here
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Injury hit the team. Damaged leg muscles prevented David Cartwright in joining the team at the last minute and so we were down to six. But that did not stop us.
Fighting for Sight and fighting fittish the final six in ‘Frannie’s Team’ gathered in central London early on Sunday morning to run in the Asics British 10k London Run. 
Although rain was forecast, it managed to hold off for most of the race, which began at Hyde Park Corner and took in some great London sights including the Mall, Trafalgar Square, St Paul’s and Westminster bridge, to end at the Cenotaph on Horseguard’s parade.
We all completed the course successfully and in respectable times on either side of the one hour which stood as the challenge for most runners.
Rowena Finn and her team of Fight for Sight supporters were cheering us on as we came around St Paul’s Cathedral.
Other memorable moments included Scott unsuccessfully hurdling a ‘Road Closed’ sign and scraping an arm in the process just minutes before the start; Optometry Blog contributor, Priya Morjaria (running for VAO) and Jane Macnaughton crossing the finish line together, and the tune of the Damn Busters and cheers of the thousands of supporters encouraging all runners to …
Our friends over at sclerals.com are running some Scleral Lens Practice Seminars in Autumn 2008 and are now taking bookings for the events. Ken Pullum comments “Sclerals lenses have retained a unique application in clinical practice, but appear to be largely passed over in the current training programme for optometrists and ophthalmologists.
The introduction of RGP materials has reduced sequelae, and has enabled a simpler fitting process. Scleral lenses are now an option for all grades of pathology where there is a contact lens indication”
Presentations and topics for discussion include:
Indications for scleral lenses
Keratoconus and primary corneal ectasias
Post corneal transplant
Aphakia and myopia
The abnormal ocular surface
Traditional and modern clinical methods
Gas permeable non ventilated scleral lens clinical methods
Preformed fenestrated for PMMA and gas permeable
Impression techniques for PMMA and gas permeable
Controlled clearance scleral lens fitting
‘Mini-sclerals’ – the place for smaller diameter scleral lenses
The problem areas with scleral lenses
Practical ‘hands-on’ session
Demonstration of scleral lenses in action
The dates for the Seminars are:
Thursday / Friday 18th and 19th September 2008
Saturday 22nd November 2008
CET points have been applied for and they are expecting 20 to be available for the September meeting. The September meeting includes a high element of hands on and demonstration time and is therefore limited to 6 delegates only. November 22nd is a lecture and discussion programme.
The November date is immediately following the annual Medical Contact Lens and Ocular Surface (MCLOSA) conference, a highly recommended day. There is a short introductory scleral lens presentation in this year’s contact lens session.
MCLOSA 15th Annual Scientific Meeting details:
21st November 2008
Venue: The Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AG
Contact: Kate Martin, general secretary
Tel: +44 (0)121 507 6849 Fax: +44 (0)121 507 6853
E-mail: secretary@mclosa.org.uk
Internet: www.mclosa.org.uk
For further information about the Sclerals Seminar, please contact:
Mrs Jill Ludlow
Administrator
Innovative Sclerals Ltd, 73 Railway Street, Hertford, Herts, SG14 1RP, UK
Tel +44 (0) …
Members of our internet Development partner, Senior Internet, are doing the Little Beaver Triathlon on the 12th of July at Belvoir Castle in Lincolnshire in aid of Parkinson’s Disease Society.
According to Joe at Senior Internet “There is nothing little about it with the course of events scheduled to be 1500m Swim, 40k Bike, 10k run!”
Any support would be greatly appreciated and people can donate at http://www.justgiving.com/timandjoetriathlon