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PODCAST

Sound Optometry

Sound Optometry

Sound Optometry is the podcast from Docet that provides high quality continuing professional development (CPD) for fully-qualified UK-GOC-registered optometrists practising in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Each month, we’ll be exploring the topics that matter most to us optometrists with case studies and in-depth conversations. You can gain 1 CPD point by listening to this podcast and completing the exercise on docet.info.

education training

All Episodes

31:50

54: Headaches – Causes and clinical management

Sound Optometry ·

2025/11/19

It’s thought that over half of the world’s population experience a headache disorder, and almost all of us have experienced the symptoms at some point in our lives. Headaches can be caused by many different factors — both visual and non-visual — and their severity can vary massively. When optometrists are examining patients, it’s not always clear how concerned to be or what to do next. After all, headaches could be a sign of an underlying health problem, from hypertension to brain tumours. In this

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27:49

53: Periorbital Skin conditions – What’s an...

Sound Optometry ·

2025/10/15

Skin conditions are very common in the UK; for example, up to 30% of children and 10% of adults suffer from eczema. Dermatological problems can cause great discomfort or they could be the sign of a more serious underlying health condition. If the eye area is affected by a skin condition, optometrists are in a good position to help patients early-on, especially as it can sometimes be difficult to access a GP or a dermatologist in a timely fashion. In this episode, Bryan Murphy, a Consultant

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30:16

52: 52: Brain tumours, 2 – Red flags for referral

Sound Optometry ·

2025/09/17

As we heard in episode 51, around a third of people affected by brain tumours report a problem with their vision. That’s why optometrists are uniquely placed to catch suspicious signs early and refer patients into hospital for further checks. In the second of two episodes on brain tumours and neuro-ophthalmology, Michelle Hanratty speaks to Lorcan Butler, an optometrist and the Optical Engagement Manager at The Brain Tumour Charity. Lorcan explains the clinical signs to look out for, when to be

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25:30

51: Brain tumours, Part 1 – A unique perspective

Sound Optometry ·

2025/07/16

A brain tumor is an abnormal growth or mass of cells in or around the brain. They can be life-threatening and their incidence is increasing in the UK, as the population gets older. Around a third of people affected by a brain tumour report a problem with their vision. That’s why optometrists are uniquely placed to catch suspicious signs early and refer patients into hospital for further checks. You may well end up saving a life.In the first of two episodes on brain tumours and neuro-ophthalmology,

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28:20

50: Diabetic retinopathy – Dots and blots of...

Sound Optometry ·

2025/06/25

Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness among working age people worldwide. But thanks to the Diabetic Eye Screening Programme and an improved understanding of the impact of glycaemic control on diabetic retinopathy, there has been a significant reduction in the level of sight-loss in England and Wales. By catching the early signs of disease, eye care practitioners play a vital role in preventing the worst outcomes, such as proliferative retinopathy and diabetic macular oedema. Can this

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29:36

49: Enhanced Optometric Services – Here, there and...

Sound Optometry ·

2025/05/21

Since COVID-19, a greater number of enhanced optometric services have been rolled out across much of the UK. These pathways have been proven to reduce the burden on secondary care, reduce patient waiting times and have saved the NHS millions of pounds. As a result, Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) have commissioned optometric services far beyond CUES, MECS and pre- and post- operative cataracts. For example, in some areas, optometrists are now providing paediatric and glaucoma services in the

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28:23

48: PACS – Management of primary angle closure suspects

Sound Optometry ·

2025/04/23

Primary angle closure disease is more common in the UK than was initially thought and it is important for optometrists to understand the condition’s stages of progression; from primary angle closure suspect (PACS), to primary angle closure (PAC) and primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG). PACG is the stage we want to avoid, where structural damage to the optic nerve and loss of visual function have occurred because of the occluded drainage angle. PACG is far more visually destructive than primary

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25:49

47: Chronic Stress – The brain-body connection

Sound Optometry ·

2025/03/20

Stress and burnout, which we explored in the last episode of Sound Optometry, is far from uncommon in optometrists. In this episode, Michelle Hanratty uncovers the severe implications that chronic stress can have on the health of optometrists in the future. How can we reverse its damage?Michelle is joined by Professor Anna Whittaker, a health psychologist at the University of Stirling, who highlights the role of cortisol in stress responses and its long-term effects on mood, weight, sleep and the

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29:24

46: Burnout in Optometry – Causes, challenges &...

Sound Optometry ·

2025/02/18

A study conducted in Australia found that around half of optometrists experience burnout. One in every three optometrists also live with a mental health condition. We all know what workplace stress can feel like, but few of us can probably spot the signs of long-term stress turning into burnout. That can lead to even more serious mental health challenges and can affect how we care for our patients.In this episode, Michelle Hanratty is joined by Neil Retallic, an optometrist and researcher in

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26:52

45: Vision and Dementia – Modifying risk for better...

Sound Optometry ·

2025/01/21

One in three people born in the UK today will go on to develop dementia — a term used to describe a range of neurological conditions that cause the loss of cognitive functioning. It’s been established that dementia can affect vision and recently, researchers have realised that visual impairment is a modifiable risk factor for dementia, too. In other words, vision correction can, at the very least, improve the quality of life of patients who have dementia. It may even reduce the progression of their

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37:10

44: Corneal Conditions – Shape and clarity

Sound Optometry ·

2024/11/26

Optometrists commonly encounter corneal conditions in practice—such as keratoconus, Fuch’s endothelial corneal dystrophy and recurrent corneal epithelial erosion syndrome. As Professor Sai Kolli explains in this podcast, the management of corneal dystrophies may involve monitoring, therapeutic treatment or onward referral, depending on their severity. Michelle Hanratty also hears from Christina and her son Sam, who discovered that he has keratoconus earlier this year. Their story illustrates the

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28:03

43: Vision Standards – Colour perception and more

Sound Optometry ·

2024/10/17

Vision standards and occupational eye testing can have profound consequences on patients and their families, especially when children are weighing up their career prospects. It’s therefore important that optometrists understand how tests are carried out and the implications of their results. In this episode, Michelle Hanratty takes a trip to the vision research centre at City St George's, University of London, to meet Professor John Barbur. John explains how occupational vision standards vary and

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28:37

42: Presbyopia – Refractive surgery solutions

Sound Optometry ·

2024/09/17

As it is a condition that comes on with ageing, presbyopia is something that optometrists very commonly encounter in practice. For most people who develop long-sightedness, their eyesight is easily corrected with spectacles and sometimes contact lenses. But many patients seek to reduce their dependence on spectacles and that’s where refractive surgery can provide a welcome solution.In this episode, Michelle Hanratty explores how to advise patients on their options and how to manage post-surgery

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28:21

41: Gene therapy – Now and in the future

Sound Optometry ·

2024/07/17

Gene therapy is one of the most exciting areas of modern medicine. In eye care, they promise to restore the vision of patients with both rare genetic eye diseases, such as a certain type of inherited retinal dystrophy, as well as more common conditions that have genetic components, like AMD. In this episode, Michelle Hanratty uncovers how gene therapies work with Omar Mahoo, a consultant ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital, St Thomas’ Hospital and University College London. Michelle also

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26:14

40: Menopause – Effect and cause

Sound Optometry ·

2024/06/20

Half of the population experience menopause, but its effects are wide-ranging and poorly understood. In this episode, Michelle Hanratty investigates how menopause can affect the eye — from inflammatory changes, such as blepharitis, to dry eye disease and even an association with glaucoma. Michelle examines the scientific research with Stuti Misra, an Associate Professor in ophthalmology at University of Auckland. Plus, Julia Sen, a consultant ophthalmologist and oculoplastic surgeon, joins Michelle

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28:11

39: Complaints – Taking the lead

Sound Optometry ·

2024/05/22

Complaints are a normal part of a patient-facing industry, like optometry — from problems with prescriptions to quibbles about customer service. Therefore, handling complaints in a professional manner is an essential part of the GOC’s Standards of Practice. In this episode, Michelle Hanratty hears from Dawn Slocombe, a Complaints Resolution Manager at the Optical Consumer Complaints Service (OCCS), about how complaints are processed through their service and why communication is the key. Michelle

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25:35

38: Evidence-based practice – What, where, why?

Sound Optometry ·

2024/04/24

In optometry, exciting new products or treatments are constantly coming onto the market. As practitioners, we need to keep our knowledge up-to-date, so that we can offer solutions to our patients if they present with an ocular condition. But is the evidence strong enough to make a recommendation or to provide that treatment? In this episode, Michelle Hanratty taps into the expertise of IP optometrists Paramdeep Bilkhu and Alan Hawrami. As a Clinical Advisor at the College of Optometrists,

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26:59

37: Immunology and allergy – A not so obvious link

Sound Optometry ·

2024/03/20

Ocular allergy can be more complicated than the seasonal conjunctivitis that optometrists see frequently in practice. To treat allergic reactions effectively, it’s important to understand how the immune system works. In this episode, Michelle and Dr Peter Frampton, an optometrist at Aaron Optometrists in the North of England, discuss the four types of immune reactions, or “allergies”, that can be expected in practice. Michelle also speaks to Eleaonor, one of Peter’s patients, who had interstitial

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28:01

36: SEN – The path to lifelong eyecare

Sound Optometry ·

2024/02/14

Children with special educational needs (SEN) are 28 times more likely to have a problem with their vision—or how their brains interpret vision—than their peers. It’s essential that optometrists understand how to make appointments as successful as possible for SEN children and their families. In this episode, Michelle Hanratty asks Ellie Hughes, Assistant Headteacher and Sensory Impairment Lead at Chellow Heights Special School, what clinicians can do to help SEN children feel more comfortable in

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27:54

35: Dry AMD – Hope on the horizon

Sound Optometry ·

2024/01/17

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of sight loss in the UK, and the dry form is the most common type of the condition. In this episode, Michelle Hanratty visits a community practice in Harborne, Birmingham, to meet optometrist Bradley Warwick. Brad specialises in dry AMD, so Michelle and Brad discuss how to manage and counsel patients with the condition that currently has no treatment options. Later, one of Brad’s patients, Martin, joins the conversation to discuss how

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