Category: Optometry Students
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Beyond the Mnemonic: LOFTSEA for the Clinically Unfamiliar
I am delighted to welcome a guest post from my respected colleague, Andy Millington. In this piece, Andy breaks down the difference between simply recalling the LOFTSEA mnemonic and using it as a sophisticated framework for clinical processing. Andy builds on some of the key aspects described in History and Symptoms: The Eye Examination, building…
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Mastering Your Static Retinoscopy Technique: A Student Guide
In the modern world, where automated eye exams are creeping in, there is one skill that remains the ultimate “lie detector” for an optometrist: static retinoscopy. Also known as “skiascopy,” this is the art of objectively measuring a patient’s refractive error using nothing but light and lenses. While auto-refractors are quick, they can be fooled…
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Communication Skills in Optometry: Why Email Etiquette Matters
There is a fascinating story from the world of gaming that perfectly highlights the shift we are seeing in digital interaction, especially regarding communication skills. The developers of a game called “After Hours” noticed their support system was failing. Players were sending emails for help, but the system couldn’t process them. Why? Because the players…
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Why “PERRLA” is Often a Lie: How to Master Effective Pupil Assessments
Have you ever seen “PERRLA” written in a patient’s notes, only to realise they are 80 years old and have artificial lenses? Since accommodation (the “A” in PERRLA) is physically impossible for a pseudophakic patient, that clinical recording tells us the assessment was likely rushed or “auto-filled”. Pupil assessment is the bridge between the eye…
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Professionalism in Primary Care Conflict: Clinical Respect
The landscape of UK healthcare is changing, and with it, the way professionals interact. A recent viral social media video featuring a GP’s “pet peeves” about eye care recommendations has recently sparked significant debate across the clinical community. While social media offers a platform for connection, it also acts as a catalyst for primary care…
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Introducing the Optometry Community by The Eye Care Advocate
The wait is finally overI I am proud to announce that The Eye Care Advocate has officially launched its own dedicated optometry community. This platform is the culmination of a journey defined by a strategic moral compass and a commitment to professional autonomy. Why I am Building this Optometry Community I am doing this because…
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The Secret is Out: Building a Supportive Optometry Community
I know I have been unusually quiet on the blog lately, but I promise there is a very good reason for my silence. For the past few months, I have been working frantically behind the scenes to build something truly special. I wanted to create a space that goes beyond simple blog posts or static…
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Accessible Information: Understanding the Standard and Why It Matters
We welcome Daniel Morgan-Williams from Visualise Training and Consultancy, this time sharing why it is important to include accessible information in every patient interaction. I will leave this for Dan to explain more. Understanding the Standard: Why Accessible Information Matters in Every Patient Interaction Have you’ve ever handed a patient a leaflet they couldn’t read?…
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Duty of Candour: Your Professional Guide to Honesty and Trust
As healthcare professionals, we hold one duty to be sacred. This is the duty of candour. But what does this phrase actually mean? It is not just a buzzword. It is the absolute core of our patient-practitioner relationship and is the foundation of trust. I have written this guide to explain exactly what the duty…
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Patient Confidentiality: The “Jigsaw” Risk You Need to Know About
Maintaining patient confidentiality is the most sacred, non-negotiable duty we have as healthcare professionals. It is the bedrock of the trust our patients place in us. In the digital age, however, this duty faces a new and insidious threat. We have all felt the urge: you see a fascinating, “textbook” case in your clinic and…