Updates in Primary Eyecare – New refractive options for active lifestyles

Updates in Primary Eyecare - New refractive options for active lifestyles

Date: 22/05/2024 (AEST)

Venue: Tattersalls Club, 215 Queen St, Brisbane City, QLD, 4000

Provider: LVF Ophthalmology Research Centre

Contact: Michelle Carley-Lep, [E] admin@lvfeyecentre.org.au, [P] 07 3398 9494

Activity Outline

This session provides a comprehensive update for optometrists on the latest developments in refractive surgery, with an emphasis on new treatment strategies, refractive lens options, the Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) and other emerging technologies. The session also aims to deepen understanding of the latest surgical interventions available for correcting vision impairments.

Unlike traditional corneal refractive surgeries, the ICL does not involve the removal of corneal tissue but instead entails the insertion of a biocompatible lens directly into the eye, providing an option for patients unsuitable for LASIK or PRK or wishing to explore a reversible option. The presentation will cover the criteria for patient selection, implantation techniques, and post-operative care for EVO ICL, ensuring comprehensive knowledge about handling these specific clinical scenarios. The session will discuss Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE), which offers a less invasive alternative to LASIK with a small lenticule being removed through a minor incision. The advantages and limitations of this procedure, along with suitable patient profiles, will be analyzed, together with the marketing implications and the role of the optometrist in helping patients interpret information rather than making decisions based on what is the latest procedure. As such, other advanced customization options in laser-assisted surgeries such as topography-guided LASIK, which provides personalized treatment based on the unique corneal topography of each patient and peripheral strategies which provide new avenues in the management of presbopia will be examined.

Clinical trials and research findings will be incorporated to illustrate the safety and efficacy of these methods, as well as their impact on patient satisfaction and visual outcomes. 

Learning Objectives

• Gain a nuanced understanding of the current refractive surgery landscape
• Advise and manage patients considering surgical correction of their vision more effectively
• Implement practical considerations for patient management, including counseling, post-surgical care, and follow-up strategies

Max CPD hours awarded: 2.5

Session Information