The Myopia Tsunami - can it be stopped? With Ian Flitcroft
It is hard to believe that many children currently spend less time outdoors than prisoners! In this episode we talk about lifestyle changes that need to be combined with optical and medical interventions to tackle the rising tide of myopia, including practical tips to help get optometrists off “the naughty step” and begin to have a conversation with parents about myopia control.Ian Flitcroft, who has been at the forefront of myopia research for over 30 years, explores the multi-factorial aetiology of the myopia epidemic, why choroidal thickness is such an important biomarker of myopia progression and why myopia control is as important to ocular health as treating hypertension is to cardiovascular disease.In the Bonus Video for subscribers, Ian and Dermot talk about how Ocumetra is using AI to help Optometrists and Ophthalmologists develop their myopia practices and to encourage patient and parental engagement in their myopia treatment journey. Ian also shares his tips for what to do if you are ever caught without your cufflinks at a black tie event! Subscribe at eyesontomorrow.substack.com/subscribeIan is a true polymath: he is an award winning novelist and science blogger, a gastronome and a Jane Austen aficionado, not to mention being a self-confessed “petrol-head”. So tune in for what is perhaps our most eclectic podcast yet.Produced by Matt Hill at Rethink Audio. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit eyesontomorrow.substack.com/subscribe
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Uveitis Revolution, with Andrew Dick
Thirty years ago children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) were at high risk of not only crippling physical disability, but also visual loss secondary to cataract, glaucoma and macular oedema caused by their chronic uveitis, or the steroids we used to treat it. Now, thanks to the development of targeted biological therapies, by clinical scientists like Andrew Dick, these children are living normal active lives and their risk of sight loss has been dramatically reduced.In this episode of Eyes on Tomorrow we talk to Andrew about his career-long interest in immunology and inflammatory eye disease and the impact of translational research which has led to a better understanding of cytokine inflammatory pathways in uveitis, the subsequent development of TNF inhibitors and finally landmark trials, like the Sycamore Trial.Andrew stresses the critical importance of working closely with paediatric rheumatologists and of involving patients, no matter how young, in the management of their disease.He has pioneered a “zero-tolerance” approach for the long-term use of topical and systemic steroids, in patients with uveitis, facilitated by the use of biological agents and this has dramatically improved the visual prognosis for patients with uveitis.We also touch upon his clinical approach to new cases of uveitis, his tips for optometrists when confronted by a patient with uveitis and what his passions are away from work.Subscribers to the podcast will have access to the Bonus video episode in which Andrew discusses promising new uveitis treatments, the challenges of managing patients with Gene Therapy Associated Uveitis, his advice to potential budding clinical scientists and his thoughts on leadership.All in all a fantastic listen for anyone who wants to learn more about inflammatory eye disease.Subscribe at eyesontomorrow.substack.com/subscribeProduced by Matt Hill at Rethink Audio. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit eyesontomorrow.substack.com/subscribe
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Disc swelling dilemmas with Lorcan Butler
Nothing provokes more anxiety in optometric practice or in an ophthalmology emergency clinic than the patient presenting with headaches and suspected optic disc swelling.The long shadow cast by the Honey Rose case has lead to a tsunami of referrals to the Hospital Eye Service and in many cases unnecessary neuroimaging.The timely recognition of papilloedema can be life saving. Our conversation with Lorcan Butler of The Brain Tumour charity gives clinicians a clear framework for managing these patients with confidence. He emphasises the importance of taking a good history, accurately assessing the optic nerve function and knowing the OCT features that help distinguish papilloedema from pseudo disc swelling.The OCT features of PHOMS are discussed in the bonus audio and the subscribers’ newsletter features articles on OCT optic disc imaging, idiopathic intracranial hypertension and how machine modelling AI can classify and quantify papilloedema.All in all a perfect package for your Easter listening. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit eyesontomorrow.substack.com/subscribe
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Understanding the enigma that is Angle Closure Glaucoma, with Paul Foster
Globally, half of glaucoma blindness is caused by angle closure glaucoma.To mark World Glaucoma Awareness week we are delighted to be joined on the podcast by Professor Paul Foster, who is literally and metaphorically a “giant” in the field of angle closure glaucoma! We discuss Paul’s seminal research which has revolutionised our understanding of the natural history of ACG and has reshaped both referral guidelines and the treatment of this condition.Paul also shares his amusing experiences of arriving in Mongolia in the early 1990’s and the commotion caused amongst the locals by the appearance of this 6’7” blonde giant within their midst!You can get full access to Eyes On Tomorrow, including:* Bonus conversations from our guests* PDFs of reading material linked to topics discussed in the podcast and perfect for your CPD* Summaries of the key learnings as a regular newsletter* Discussion with other subscribersThis month’s newsletter includes copies of the 14 year follow up of the ZAP study cohorts and the EAGLE study. There are also links to the Gonioscopy.org website, which is a superb resource for anyone who wants to improve their understanding of normal and abnormal angle architecture.And the Bonus audio features Paul’s suggestions for how to become more confident with gonioscopy and his top tips for performing laser iridotomies, especially in heavily pigmented eyes.All in all a perfect package of listening and learning for World Glaucoma Awareness week.All for just £25 per year, when you subscribe at eyesontomorrow.substack.com/subscribeProduced by Matt Hill at Rethink Audio. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit eyesontomorrow.substack.com/subscribe
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Scleral contact lens practitioners to the rescue! with Brian Tompkins
You may be surprised to learn how many corneal conditions can be treated with sclerals! Brian Tompkins, one of the Godfathers of scleral contact lens practice, shares with us his passion for treating complex corneal pathology and restoring vision in patients with advanced keratoconus, corneal ectasias and a host of other ocular surface conditions.Brian also shares his top tips for setting up a scleral contact lens practice and which new scleral fitting technologies to consider.And no conversation with Brian would be complete without talking about his unique presentation style, combining theatrics and education, an approach Brian describes as “Edutainment”!You can get full access to Eyes On Tomorrow, including:* Bonus conversations from our guests* PDFs of reading material linked to topics discussed in the podcast and perfect for your CPD* Summaries of the key learnings as a regular newsletter* Discussion with other subscribersThis month’s newsletter includes papers on pellucidal marginal degeneration versus keratoconus and how we differentiate between them, and guidance on building a specialist contact lens practice. Plus in our bonus podcast episode Brian discusses his membership of the Hakim group, the benefits it brought to his practice and how the move allowed him to focus on clinical work while leveraging the group's support.All for just £25 per year, when you subscribe at eyesontomorrow.substack.com/subscribeProduced by Matt Hill at Rethink Audio. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit eyesontomorrow.substack.com/subscribe
An Optometrist and an Ophthalmologist discuss - sometimes over a pint of Guinness - how these two previously fractious disciplines have been brought closer together. From different sides of the Irish border, John Ferris and Dermot Keogh know a thing or two about overcoming division.
Their guests bring extensive experience and expertise from across the two sectors: they share their passion for all things optical, discuss how the fields of Optometry and Ophthalmology can learn from each other, and the medical developments that are just over the horizon. eyesontomorrow.substack.com
Ireland