College of Optometrists

Abstract:

This lecture will describe the recent innovations in ophthalmic lasers (Femtosecond and Excimer lasers) in their clinical applications for refractive surgery, use of UV light in corneal crosslinking and the role of advanced intraocular lenses to meet visual demands of our patient population.

Learning objectives:

· To describe clinical implications of recent advances in ophthalmic surgical technology

· To aid patient education on options available towards laser vision correction

· To discuss referral guidelines for anterior segment disorders and refractive errors

Biography:

Professor Rajan underwent specialist ophthalmic training in London and the South East. His interest in corneal refractive surgery led to a research fellowship focusing on corneal wound healing mechanisms in laser refractive surgery at St Thomas’ Hospital, London that led to a MD degree at the University of London with more than 20 peer reviewed publications in reputed scientific journals. Subsequently he underwent a 2-year corneal surgical fellowship at Moorfield’s eye hospital, London where he acquired extensive experience in newer techniques in corneal transplantation and excimer laser refractive surgery. He was appointed as consultant ophthalmic surgeon in 2007 and subsequently as Professor of ophthalmic and visual sciences to Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge in 2010, where he leads a team of researchers at the Vision and Eye Research Unit (VERU). He is presently the lead clinician for cataract and corneal surgery at Addenbrooke’s hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust. 

Abstract:

Universities are often accused of undertaking (non-transferable) research, i.e., that which does not directly benefit the general public. The lecture will concentrate on two areas of the author’s current research which, hopefully, benefits the public and practitioners, alike.

The majority of the lecture will concentrate on the appearance of the optic nerve head and of the corresponding visual field in patients with open-angle glaucoma who have been followed for upto 10 years and will be copiously illustrated with images of abnormal discs and of abnormal fields.  The current techniques for identification of glaucomatous visual field loss, and of progressive visual field loss, will be reviewed. The reasons for the requirement to undertake a second visual field before referral and the limitations of the normal physiological variability in the estimation of threshold will be reviewed. The salient features of the glaucomatous optic nerve head in relation to the presenting visual field loss will be discussed for each case presentation.

The last part of the talk will illustrate the types of visual field loss occurred in patients with epilepsy, including that associated with the anti-epileptic drug vigabatrin, and will provide an overview of ‘neuro-‘ field loss.  

Audience participation in the discussion of the cases, whether covert or overt, will be expected/ encouraged.

Learning objectives:

• Possess a better understanding of those features of the optic nerve head which indicate glaucomatous abnormality.
• Possess a better understanding of those features of the visual field which indicate glaucomatous abnormality
• Possess a better understanding of the limitations associated with the visual field examination and how these can be minimized.
• Possess a better understanding of those features of the visual field which indicate neuro-opthalmological abnormality
• Possess a better understanding of the characteristics associated the visual field loss arising from the anti-epileptic drug vigabatrin (Sabril).

Biography:

John Wild is Professor of Clinical Vision Sciences in the Cardiff School of Optometry and Vision Sciences at Cardiff University and is Honorary Research Fellow at the Cardiff Eye Unit and at the Welsh Epilepsy Unit, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff. He is also Head of the School’s Clinical and Investigative Sciences Research Group and Director of Postgraduate Research. Professor Wild obtained his BSc in Ophthalmic Optics from the City University, London, in 1974, and passed his Professional Qualifying Examinations at the first attempt in 1975. He then gained an MSc in Methods of Ophthalmic Examination from Aston University, Birmingham, in 1976. His PhD, awarded by Aston University in 1981, was for a thesis concerned with the visual performance of partially sighted children.   He received the degree of Doctor of Science, for the totality of his research output, from the City University, London, in January 2010. His specialist research topics are the structural and functional assessment of open-angle glaucoma and the visual dysfunction associated with the anti-epileptic drug vigabatrin. Professor Wild was President of the International Perimetric Society from 2000 to 2006 and is the only optometrist and the only UK national to have held this position. He is also a member of the European Glaucoma Society. He has given invited lectures in at least 25 countries, worldwide. However, he considers his greatest professional achievement to have been his temporary license to practice medicine in Lithuania!