Research Project Help Request
7 December 2020
Nutrition is everyone’s business, and especially Optometrists.
The role of all health professionals in supporting the public health of our communities, towns and nation are at the heart of Making Every Contact Count. This is not about adding another job to an already busy one, or adding to already full consultations, it is about providing opportunistic advice that is consistent and supports individuals to live a healthy lifestyle. It is simply about engaging individuals in conversations about their health and how they might be able to take steps to improve it. So, who better in the nation’s health workforce than Optometrists to have these types of conversation with individuals who come in off our high streets to receive eye care, but may also be open to other health ideas.
Why nutrition and eyes?
With the publication of AREDS study, the interest in how nutritional supplements might be useful in age related macular degeneration (AMD) to delay the progression to advanced disease has become particularly important in respect to communication about AMD prevention and management . However, how confident are optometrists if clients/ patients ask about the specific functions of the nutrients which make up the AREDS supplement? Perhaps more importantly, how confident are optometrists in considering whether a client/ patient might benefit from the supplement or could they get the same benefit from their diet. Of course, it is not about giving detailed dietary advice, it can be as simple as asking individuals about if they are thinking about what they eat, perhaps suggesting a few small changes and signposting other services.
It is not just people with AMD who might benefit from support and information about diet, with increasing numbers of people living with diabetes and hypertension who routinely use optometry services, there is a clear role for diet in managing their condition. This is before considering the millions of individuals without health concerns, who due to age related changes in eyesight may seek optometry care. Often these are the same people who the “making every contact count” and “well person clinics” are looking to encourage to improve their lifestyle and diet to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease. The potential effect of encouraging users of optometry service to make even the simplest of changes, such as just eating 1-2 more pieces of fruit and veg per week would have massive health and cost saving effects to society.
Why this survey?
Although there is clearly a place and potential for an increased role of nutrition in routine practice and business of optometrists, like many health professionals, limited levels of confidence, knowledge and training in this area can be a significant barrier to starting conversations about nutrition with clients/ patients.
Using validated questionnaires used with pharmacists and doctors, we aim in this project to find out how important optometrists feel nutrition is, whether it could add to their practice and identify any potential gaps in knowledge and training. The analysis of these findings will then be used to help inform the design of training packages for optometrists to help support them in having simple conversations about food and nutrition, improving the health of their clients/ patients and community. In the process, it is likely also to enhance the relationship of clients/ patients with their optometrists and so also potentially be good for business.
Here is the link for the survey:
https://aston.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/nutrition-competency-in-optometry_nm
The survey is completely anonymous and you can discard the questionnaire at any point and the data will not be entered. Unless you press “submit” your data will not be entered. Once you have clicked the link to the survey, there is a further link to the ‘Participant Information Sheet’ with more details.
Many thanks.
Yours sincerley,
Nicola Milhench – Student, Aston University
Berkshire LOC Latest News
PES Enhanced Cataract CPD Event: 18th December 2024
Join us for an insightful, free event tailored for practitioners involved in enhanced eyecare services using OPERA, with a spotlight on the pre-op cataract/enhanced cataract referral service in England. 📅 When: Wednesday 18th December, 7pm – 8pm. 📍Where: Online, via Zoom. 🎓Earn: 1 Interactive CPD Point (Lecture) for OOs and DOs This session …
Continue reading “PES Enhanced Cataract CPD Event: 18th December 2024”
11 December 2024
PCSE System Downtime 28-29 November
Dear Colleague, We’re letting you know about scheduled maintenance taking place this week. Due to scheduled maintenance, PCSE Online will be unavailable from 6pm on Thursday 28 November to 6am on Friday 29 November. We will then be carrying out assurance testing until 8.30am. Please note, the contact us forms on the PCSE …
Continue reading “PCSE System Downtime 28-29 November”
27 November 2024
RNIB CET Event – Monday 2nd of December
The RNIB Low Vision Centre is pleased to inform you of a free CPD event for Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians on: Monday 2nd December 9.15- 16.00 Low vision and Learning Disabilities Conference (5 CET points) Content: Low vision Workshop Learning disabilities Workshop Retinal conditions in Low Vision Lecture – Consultant ophthalmologist Christiana Dinah Eyecare support …
Continue reading “RNIB CET Event – Monday 2nd of December”
21 November 2024
Safeguarding Adults Week 2024
Dear Colleagues, We are pleased to announce that we are raising awareness of Safeguarding Adults Week 2024, an annual campaign aimed at raising awareness and promoting best practices in safeguarding adults. Primary Eyecare Services are proud to be supporting this campaign. We would like to encourage you to take the time to read …
Continue reading “Safeguarding Adults Week 2024”
21 November 2024
PCSE – System downtime 14th of November 2025
Primary Care Support England System downtime 14 November Dear Colleague, We’re letting you know about scheduled maintenance taking place this week. Due to scheduled maintenance, PCSE Online will be unavailable from 6pm until 9.30pm on Thursday 14 November. Don’t forget to read our Business Continuity Guidance If your store is unable to access PCSE Online due …
Continue reading “PCSE – System downtime 14th of November 2025”
13 November 2024
Special Facial Characteristics GOS supplement – includes Tomato and MiraFlex range
If you have had a GOS claim for a SFC supplement refused by the RBHT because the frame dispensed was not custom made, ie. from the “Tomato” or “MiraFlex” range, please be aware that you are able to challenge this under the SGS additional guidance, details below: Small Glasses Supplement Additional guidance NHS England and …
12 October 2024
VISIO Health Inaugural Launch & Optometry and GP Education event
VISIO Health, in partnership with ZEISS, is hosting its inaugural educational meeting alongside its official launch, focusing on holistic care for Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Aesthetics, and Wellbeing. The event will feature interactive workshops that include diagnostic imaging interpretation, case-based discussions on treatment options across various specialties, and hands-on experience. Accredited with 15 CPD points, this …
Continue reading “VISIO Health Inaugural Launch & Optometry and GP Education event”
7 October 2024
Optician is delighted to announce the return of its CPD certified conference on Sustainability – October 1st & 2nd of October
Eyes on Sustainability is a ground-breaking multi-channel initiative that combines live conferences and focused monthly editorial content. Eyes on Sustainability 2024 (#EOS24), is CPD certified and will take place on October 2nd at Brighton i360 and will provide a launchpad for retail optics to reduce its impact on the planet while meeting current and future …
20 September 2024
CUES CPD Event: 23rd September 2024 7PM – 9PM
Primary Eyecare are excited to announce an upcoming CPD webinar on CUES, “The CUES conundrum: solving the urgent eyecare solution” Monday 23rd September, 7PM-9PM 2 back-to-back lectures with 2 interactive CPD points in total! 7PM – 8PM = CUES pathway and protocols 8PM – 9PM = CUES referrals from the red tab …
Continue reading “CUES CPD Event: 23rd September 2024 7PM – 9PM”
6 September 2024