Progressing with Competence in Ophthalmic Nursing. London 8th March 2013

The 2nd national annual event was designed to appeal to nurses, clinicians, managers and academics who work in or have an interest in ophthalmology.  The day was chaired by Janet Marsden, Professor of Ophthalmology and Emergency Care, Faculty of Health, Psychology and Social Care, Manchester Metropolitan University.  Professor Marsden set the scene by describing how practices in ophthalmology had evolved and outlined the role that the nursing profession has played. Lecture topics included an overview of a nurse-performed laser capsulotomy service that has been implemented at Cumberland Infirmary. Other topics included tools to improve adherence in glaucoma patients and the challenges of telephone triage.  Mei McQuade an advance nurse practitioner gave an interesting talk on the re-design of ophthalmic emergency services in Hairmyers Hospital in Scotland and how the partnership between nursing, community optometry and ophthalmology was working well.  Topics covered in the last session included benchmark standards for vision and refractive outcomes after cataract surgery, the level of knowledge of patients on how systemic medical conditions can impact on ocular health and vitreoretinal patient care pathways.