Enrolments are still being accepted for the next round of the Advanced Certificate in Glaucoma (ACO-ACG) – a remote learning course offered by the Australian College of Optometry (ACO) – starting on 20 March.
The ACO-ACG is a six-month course offering optometrists training in current best practice for the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and co-management of glaucoma.
The course offers a flexible remote learning structure ideal for rural or remote optometrists and those balancing work and other commitments, ACO said.
Perth optometrist, Lynne Allard
Recent graduate, Perth optometrist Lynne Allard said about 80% of glaucoma is diagnosed by optometrist and so she “wanted to offer my patients the best protocol for early detection of glaucoma to protect them from serious vision loss”.
She said the course content was actionable from the start, providing timely reminders about regular tonometer calibration, for example. It also helped her make decisions on purchasing new equipment.
The course offers a flexible remote learning structure ideal for rural or remote optometrists and those balancing work and other commitments
“I also began using our current equipment in new ways, for example by changing our visual field-testing protocol to improve change detection. I also became more discerning when interpreting OCT findings.
“Since furthering my knowledge in glaucoma, I’m more pro-active in looking at the angle and trabecular meshwork in all patients, and I’m more confident monitoring ocular hypertensives (OHT) in the absence of other risk factors.
“I’m more focussed on discussing the risks and limitations of treatment options with patients – learning from specialist glaucoma ophthalmologists gave me a fuller picture of the impact of optometry intervention on subsequent management of disease. I can now better prepare patients for the discussions and options they’re likely to have when they’re referred.”
Ms Allard said the course was “rigorous” and she needed to “clear space for the research and analysis required” but she said students were well supported.
Further information on the course is available online or by calling 03 9349 7477.
