Changing Vision CPD event is back

Learning new skills to support patients with low vision

ABDO’s Changing Vision CPD event is back at the ABDO National Resource Centre (NRC) in Birmingham on Friday 20 September.

This highly practical day, which is free for members to attend, was deemed a success by all those who took part in the inaugural event in February.

“Dispensing opticians with low vision as a core competency are in a perfect position to support patients as their visual needs change through the normal ageing process, and with the complications and pathologies that arise with an ageing eye,” commented Alex Webster, ABDO head of CET. “However, low vision support in practice can often be low on the agenda and dispensing opticians may not always have confidence in their abilities to support these patients within this setting. Our Changing Vision CPD event enables ABDO members to learn and practice relevant skills that can be immediately implemented into practice.”

The one-day educational event was developed in alignment with an ongoing low vision project being carried out by the ABDO National Clinical Committee (NCC). The aim of the low vision project is to equip dispensing opticians with the necessary skills and education to provide low vision assessment, provision and management services in the community – either independently, as part of a low vision scheme, or in conjunction with voluntary or charitable organisations.

During the packed agenda low vision practitioner Nick Black will look at commonly encountered low vision related ocular pathologies. Ian Hughes from Associated Optical will provide a session exploring how a low vision service in practice can make business sense. Helping to identify barriers and out-dated beliefs around low vision, and Joanne Abbott will run a discussion workshop to uncover how the low vision patient needs can be better served.

The afternoon will consist of two practical hands-on workshops. Ian Hughes will run an interactive session enabling members to physically explore low vision aids and their applications, relating them to patient need, whilst Andrew Price will conduct a skills workshop, designed to give the members the skill to implement an ‘eye drop user review’ for their patients.

Throughout the day, an exhibition of low vision charities will be on-site, enabling attendees to interact and understand more about services and resources available for their low vision patients.

Places are limited so find out more and book a place, click here.