BCLA to collaborate on new course in Ortho-K 

 

Eye care professionals with an interest in Ortho-K can take advantage of a new course being launched as part of a collaboration between the BCLA and The Hong Kong Academy of Orthokeratology.
The comprehensive Orthokeratology Continuing Education (OKCE) course will be aimed at practitioners who wish to start offering Ortho-K treatment in their practice, or who have recently started their Ortho-K journey and is expected to feature a range of online and didactic lectures, lab sessions, seminars and exams.
It will share the same 12 learning goals as the exam route OKCE which is for practitioners with five or more years of Ortho-K practice.
The first 12 delegates (experienced Ortho-K practitioners in China) have already begun their studies towards the qualification – which includes an element of hands-on laboratory sessions and sees participants spending up to five days attending lab sessions, selected didactic lectures at BCLA conferences, case reports, and taking a written and practical exam.
The BCLA has given its backing to the course and plans are in place to launch an extended global roll-out of the content via an online digital platform.
Professor Sunil Shah, President of the BCLA, said: “The aim of this course is to allow candidates the chance to demonstrate evidence of the understanding of basic theory of Ortho-K, to understand the pros and cons, the selection of patients and a host of other issues related to ortho-k practice.
“It will promote safe and ethical practice and boost professional competency, while increasing knowledge of how to identify potential problems from data collected during examination. This will set a global standard for Ortho-K practice.”
The first phase of the course is currently taking place in China, with the 12 delegates expected to attend the forthcoming BCLA Asia conference in Singapore.
On completion of the modules, participants will have achieved 12 key learning outcomes, including knowledge of assessing and monitoring corneal integrity, explaining the effects of Ortho-K, demonstrating competency in lens fitting and discussing the importance of compliance.
Pauline Cho, immediate past president of The Hong Kong Academy of Orthokeratology, said: “Ortho-K is a rapidly growing field within 21st century optometry and there is a huge appetite for learning. This course will help to meet that demand.”
“We look forward to working with the BCLA to help a new generation of eye health practitioners demonstrate initiative and resourcefulness in seeking information or advice, and to be able to propose modification of decisions or alternatives in the light of new information and considerations, or to overcome learning gaps.”
The OKCE will count for 10 of the 50 points required for Fellowship status of the BCLA and, together with four case records of suitable standard on myopia control, would achieve the FBCLA [myopic control].
Further information about the course will be available at BCLA Asia, taking place on 18-19 September 2018 at the Singapore Polytechnic Convention Centre.
The event will include sessions detailing the very latest clinical guidance on topics including dry eye management and presbyopia. There will be a range of hands-on workshops covering clinical skills, business and presentation/research skills. 
An exhibition will allow delegates to get see the latest products and there will be plenty of opportunities to network with colleagues and the wider contact lens and anterior eye community.