Glaucoma module (CPD)

The unit will cover the theoretical knowledge needed to detect and manage glaucoma. It will cover the structural and functional losses seen in glaucoma and the therapeutic options. Emphasis will be placed on the instrumentation and techniques used in management and their theoretical basis/mode of operation.

It is intended that those who graduate from this unit will have an advanced knowledge of this condition with a practical understanding of the latest methods of detection and management.

• Glaucoma module brochure  (PDF, 457KB)
• Glaucoma module syllabus 2013 (PDF, 93KB)
• Glaucoma module application instructions (PDF, 200 KB)

The course draws upon the expertise of a large number of academic and clinically qualified staff within the University of Manchester and Manchester Royal Eye Hospital.

Successful completion of the glaucoma module can form part of an MSc in Investigative Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences. To complete the MSc you will need to take a further 6 modules and a dissertation.

• Further details on the Manchester IOVS MSc course

The principle aim of this module is to provide qualified UK optometrists and healthcare professionals with advanced knowledge on the diagnosis and management of glaucoma:

1. To provide a physiological and pathophysiological basis for the understanding of the management of the glaucomas
2. To provide a comprehensive knowledge of the technologies and their application in the diagnosis and monitoring of the glaucomas
3. To provide an understanding of the approach to, and the various treatment modalities for, the management of the glaucomas

There will be 11 three-hour sessions held on consecutive Thursday mornings starting in January 2013.

The module will adopt the requirements of the developing glaucoma curriculum for optometric roles in the detection and management of COAG and OHT.

Topics covered include:

• Glaucoma classification and epidemiology
  • Classification of the glaucomas
  • Epidemiology of primary open angle glaucoma
• Anatomy and physiology
  • Pathophysiology of aqueous production and the control of IOP
  • Pathophysiology of the optic nerve head and nerve fibre layer
  • Pathophysiology of the anterior chamber and drainage angle
  • Blood supply to the optic nerve head
• Perimetry 1
  • Perimetric techniques (measuring thresholds in the untrained).
  • Quantification and reliability indices
  • Quantification of progressive loss in glaucoma
• Perimetry 2
  • Visual field loss in glaucoma
  • Practical - visual field tests
• Imaging 1
  • Imaging of the optic nerve head (SLO, HRT, GDx OCT, Multispectral imaging)
  • Imaging of the anterior chamber (OCT and UBM)
  • The optic nerve head in glaucoma
  • Practical - e-learning evaluation of optic nerve head
• Imaging 2
  • Practical - imaging devices
  • Structure function relationship
• Tonometry
  • Measurement of the IOP and corneal thickness
  • Other examination techniques
  • Multifocal VEPs, pupillometry
• Management of the glaucomas
  • Medical
  • Surgical
• Screening
  • Principles and practice of screening for glaucoma
  • Appraising diagnostic tests (sensitivity, specificity Likelihood ratios, PPV, NPV, etc)
• Co-management of glaucoma
  • NICE Guidelines
  • Referral refinement schemes
  • Optometric led HES schemes
  • Optometric community schemes