THEORETICAL LOW VISION TRAINING

Transcription

1 THEORETICAL LOW VISION TRAINING LOCSU LOW VISION March

2 1.0 Summary of the course This course involves 12 Distance Learning lectures (30 minutes to an hour) video recorded on CD-rom. This provides theoretical training in low vision practice. Each hour of lectures has 12 MCQs embedded within it and participants must upload the answers onto a website. To pass a score of at least 60% must be attained for each lecture. Each hour of lecture is worth 2 CET points. This course will be 18 CET points in total. It is recommended that practitioners also undertake a practical course. WOPEC can work with LOCs to provide the practical training element. LOCs can obtain codes to access the course from LOCSU. 2.0 Outline of the Distance Learning Lectures 2.1 Lecture 1: An overview of Low Vision Anne Sinclair Anne Sinclair is an associate specialist ophthalmologist in Fife. After working abroad, mostly in Africa, she returned to Scotland and has been part of the Fife Interdisciplinary Low Vision team since Her main work interest is diabetic eye disease. With co-authors and Maggie Woodhouse, Anne has published two short textbooks on Low Vision, for optometrists and ophthalmologists. This lecture provides an overview of the numbers of people with low vision in the UK, the main causes of visual impairment in the UK, some of the terminology commonly used and information on the registration process. It will be available on CD. To acquire knowledge of what constitutes visual impairment. To appreciate the relevant use of terminology. To acquire knowledge of the epidemiology of low vision in the UK for different ages. To understand the certification and registration process in the UK To be aware of the benefits of being registered as having a visual impairment in the UK LOCSU LOW VISION March

3 2.2 Lecture 2: How pathology affects function in people with low vision Michael Crossland Dr Michael Crossland is a Specialist Optometrist at Moorfields Eye Hospital and a Research Fellow at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, both in London. His particular interest is in the rehabilitation of people with visual impairment. He has a PhD in vision rehabilitation from the University of London, is a Member of the College of Optometrists and a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. This lecture provides an insight into how some of the eye conditions that are common in the UK affect visual functioning and hence on the tasks a person may wish to do in everyday life. It will be available on CD. To understand the affect a visual impairment can have on a person s visual functioning To be aware of how reduced visual function impacts on activities of daily living. 2.3 Lecture 3: Low Vision Assessment 1- Assessment of Needs Dr spent her early optometric career in the Hospital Eye Service. In 1995 she started working in the multi-disciplinary Low Vision Team in Birmingham Focus and in 1996 became the first optometrist to work for RNIB. In 2003, Barbara moved to Wales to take up her current position with the Welsh Assembly Government and Cardiff University. Barbara is Codirector of the Wales Optometry Postgraduate Education Centre (WOPEC) and is Clinical Lead for the Welsh Low Vision Service. Barbara continues to practice one day a week in Monmouth. This distance learning lecture provides insight into how to carry out a history needs assessment during a low vision assessment. It will be available on CD. Learning objectives: To understand the difficulties a person with low vision may experience To gain an understanding of how to prioritise the needs of a person with a visual impairment and set goals for their management To know how to take a visual and general health history as part of a low vision assessment. LOCSU LOW VISION March

4 2.4 Lecture 4: Low Vision Assessment 2- Assessment of Visual Function This distance learning module provides how to assess visual function as part of a low vision assessment. Learning objectives: To understand the limitations of the normal optometric routine to measure the function of those with a visual impairment. To acquire knowledge of how to measure visual function in a person with a visual impairment. 2.5 Lecture 5: Refracting a low vision patient Marek Karas Marek trained at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London where he worked as a senior staff member involved in a wide range of clinical, research and teaching work until He has worked at RNIB for 10 years in a variety of roles including Deputy Head of the Low Vision and Eye Health Team, Senior Optometric Advisor and Clinical Lead at the Low Vision Centre. He now works as an optometrist with specific interests in learning disabilities and older people s care. This distance learning module provides how to refract someone as art of a low vision assessment. Learning objectives: To understand the limitations of the normal routine to refract those with a visual impairment. To acquire knowledge of how to refract a person with a visual impairment. 2.6 Lecture 6: Prescribing Solutions - Magnification and Magnifiers. This distance learning lecture describes how to prescribe magnification for people with low vision. It is available on CD Rom. LOCSU LOW VISION March

5 To acquire knowledge to: be able to determine the most appropriate magnification for a patient with low vision from knowledge of their visual function and reported difficulties. be able to determine the optical components of simple magnifiers and telescopic systems so appropriate advice can be provided. 2.7 Lecture 7: Low Vision Devices (Optical) Jonathan Jackson Prof Jonathan Jackson studied at Glasgow College of Technology (UK) and did his pre-registration year at Moorfields Eye Hospital. After returning to Belfast to establish a hospital optometry department at the Royal Victoria Hospital and he completed a PhD. He is currently Principal Optometrist at the Royal Victoria Hospital and is Assistant Director Integrated Care (Optometry) at the Northern Ireland Health & Social Care Board. Prof Jackson holds an Honorary Professorship in the School of Biomedical Sciences/Centre for Vision Science, Queen s University, Belfast. He has coauthored, along with Prof James Wolffsohn, a textbook on low vision entitled The Low Vision Manual. This distance learning lecture describes the low vision devices available for people with low vision. It is available on CD Rom. To be aware of the range of low vision devices available (type and magnification) To understand the differences between devices To be able to determine the most appropriate low vision device for individuals for different tasks 2.8 Lecture 8: Prescribing Solutions Other devices This short distance learning lecture describes how to prescribe tints and consider posture when prescribing magnifiers for people with low vision. It is available on CD Rom. To be aware of the range of tints, ergonomic aids and aids for peripheral visual field loss available to the low vision practitioner To understand the differences between devices LOCSU LOW VISION March

6 To be able to determine the most appropriate tint, ergonomic device and/or aid for peripheral visual field loss available for individuals for different tasks 2.9 Lecture 9: Low Vision Solutions 1 Marek Karas This distance learning lecture outlines how making things bigger and contrast enhancement can assist people with a visual impairment. To have knowledge of a wide range of non-optical devices and strategies that assist people with a visual impairment to enlarge objects and/ or improve their contrast to assist them with everyday tasks. To understand how making objects bigger can help people with low vision. To understand how improving contrast integrate with other low vision techniques and devices. To be better able to advise and refer people with low vision to appropriate services for additional support Lecture 10: Low Vision Solutions 2- Lighting and sight substitution Marek Karas This distance learning lecture outlines how lighting and sight substitution techniques and devices can assist people with a visual impairment. To have knowledge of a wide range of non-optical devices and strategies that assist people with a visual impairment to use their sight and other senses effectively to do everyday tasks. To understand how lighting can be adapted to help people with low vision. To understand how sight enhancement techniques and devices integrate with sight substitution techniques and devices. To be better able to advise and refer people with low vision to appropriate services for additional support. LOCSU LOW VISION March

7 2.11 Lecture 11: Inter-professional Working This distance learning module describes what other professionals and services are available to assist people with low vision. It is available on the CD Rom. Learning Objectives To understand the roles of other professionals and services in the wider low vision team and to understand how the clinical practitioner can work within it. To be able to make appropriate referrals to other agencies and professionals to ensure low vision patients have all the support available to them Lecture 12: The LOCSU Low vision Pathway Bruce Gilson This distance learning module describes the LOCSU Low Vision Pathway. It is available on the CD Rom. Learning Objectives To understand the LOSCU pathway 3.0 Timescale The start date should be at least 12 weeks prior to the commencement of the pathway. Learners would be given two months to complete the lectures. 4.0 Certificate An individualised PDF CET Certificate will be issued upon completion of the course. WOPEC can work with local areas to develop practical training that would be enable practitioners to provide an accreditation certificate. LOCSU LOW VISION March

8 5.0 Course Leader graduated from City University and spent her early optometric career in the Hospital Eye Service in Oxford, Birmingham and Nigeria. Barbara has been involved in clinical teaching on a part time basis for over 14 years in Aston, Bradford and Cardiff Universities. She has presented at conferences and meetings around the UK and internationally, mainly on low vision. In 2000 she won the Optician of the Year Award for her work in the field of low vision and has published widely on low vision clinical practice. Barbara took up her current position with the Welsh Assembly Government and Cardiff University in In this role she is responsible for training and accrediting practitioners the 179 practitioners who provide the Welsh Eyecare Initiative. Barbara continues to practice one day a week in Monmouth and is an Examiner for the College of Optometrists. LOCSU LOW VISION March