BBR chairman Nick Rumney has been invited to share his expertise on Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) as well as the role optometry can play in screening for Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) at a conference organised by the Cyprus Association of Optometrists.
Nick will be in Limassol for the March 12 event which offers clinicians an opportunity to ensure their knowledge is as up-to-date as possible by attending a series of talks as part of the mandatory Continual Education and Training (CET) requirements of the General Optical Council.
BBR was the first optometry practice in the Herefordshire region to invest in an Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scanner in 2007 and Nick is a firm advocate of the technology, having given talks around the globe on its benefits. In 2016 BBR Optometry started using the first of the fifth generation OCT instrument, the Swept Source.
Nick says: “I have taken part in a number of events around the world to raise awareness of the benefits of using OCT and am again delighted to be sharing my experience with fellow clinicians at this major event.
“The technology allows optometrists to view 3D images of the inside of the eye which enables us to determine a precise diagnosis of any visual problems, offering the best possible outcomes for patients,” he added.
His second talk is about the important role screening plays in diagnosing AMD, another cause very dear to Nick’s heart as macular disease is the most common cause of sight loss in the UK.
He says: “BBR Optometry has an established reputation for providing the most comprehensive eye examination possible, using the very latest ophthalmic equipment, and we do not focus solely on the patient’s vision but also look closely at any changes to the eye that might indicate the onset of conditions such as macular degeneration.
“AMD currently affects more than 600,000 people in the UK and it is predicted that, by 2020, this will rise to almost 700,000.
“That is why it is so important for all optometrists to be more aware of the benefits of screening for the condition, especially as globally there is an ageing population and it is estimated that one in every 10 people over 65 will have some degree of AMD.
“In terms of this particular disease, there is still so much that can done on a wider scale in terms of raising awareness and I am looking forward to sharing my knowledge with fellow clinicians at this event,” he added.
Nick Rumney is an award-winning third generation optometrist whose practice was the first in the UK to introduce 3D-OCT and continues to invest in the latest technologies and advances which led to him last year receiving the Philip Cole prize for in-practice research from the College of Optometrists.
3D OCT imaging is automatically part of your BBR Private Eye Examination and is included in our extension to the NHS Sight Test – find out more about our Retinal Imaging capabilities here.