CET for Optometrists on the Specialist Therapeutics Register

The first registrations to the GOC specialist therapeutics registers took place in Autumn 2006. In order to address the shortage of CET available to individuals on the Specialist Therapeutics (Supplementary Prescriber) register, Replay Learning was asked by the General Optical Council to provide 2 CET modules worth 4 CET points in total. The following modules were produced as a result.

Both modules take the form of an online article (pdf) with an associated multiple choice test. The pass mark for the test is 66% (8 out of 12). The modules were released on 18 December 2006 and have a deadline of 10 December 2007. Successful completion of either module (article & MCQ) before 5pm on Sunday 31 December 2006 is worth 2 points towards the 2004-2006 CET period total. Completion after that date counts towards the 2007-2009 CET period.

Please note that ONLY individuals on the Supplementary Prescriber Register can be awarded CET points for these articles.

MODULE 1
The Medical Co-Management of Glaucoma
CET Reference Number: C-5553
CET points: 2
Target Audience: Specialist (Supplementary Prescriber)
Therapeutics Only
Closing Date: 10 December 2007

Learning Objectives
To understand the causes and natural history of Glaucoma
To understand the aims of Glaucoma management
To understand the actions, contraindications and side effects of common glaucoma medication
To understand the issues of compliance
To understand the role of co-management

Aachal Kotecha PhD, MCOptom
Aachal Kotecha is a lecturer at the Department of Optometry and Visual Science at City University, London and an Honorary Research Fellow at the Glaucoma Research Unit at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London.

Alexander Spratt MRCOphth
Alexander Spratt is an ophthalmologist working as a Research Fellow in the Glaucoma Research Unit at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London. He is currently studying the efficacy of fixed-combination eye drops and the impact of glaucoma upon patients' quality of life.

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MODULE 2

Dry Eye, Assessment and Management
CET Reference Number: C-5554
CET points: 2
Target Audience: Specialist (Supplementary Prescriber)
Therapeutics Only
Closing Date: 10 December 2007

Learning Objectives
To understand the types of dry eye and their underlying causes
To understand the make-up of the normal tear film and how this is affected in dry eye
To be able to perform an appropriate assessment of dry eye
To understand the management of dry eye including punctal occlusion, medical treatment and bandage contact lenses
To be able to manage the relationship between secondary and independent prescriber referring back when necessary.

Author
Andrew Matheson MSc, FCOptom, DipTp, DipTpAS, DipTpSP, DipOC, FAAO
Andrew qualified in optometry in 1982. He is a fellow of the British College of Optometrists and the American Academy of Optometry and has the British College higher qualifications in Ocular Therapeutics and Ocular Disease. He was the first optometrist in the UK to obtain the British College qualification in Ocular Therapeutics in 1999.He is a member of the British Contact Lens Association and the International Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society and holds an MSc in Clinical Optometry from City University in London. In April 2006 he became the first Optometrist on the General Optical Councils Specialist Register as a Supplementary Prescriber and Additional Supply Optometrist. These specialist qualifications greatly increase the range of diseases that can be treated in primary care optometry. He is sole director of Matheson Optometrists, a group of 7 optometric practices in Hampshire.

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