Eye group launches an academy
Optometrist Purvi Thomson, theatre lead nurse Marta Ramos and OCL ophthalmologist Mr Ali Mearza
Independent eye surgery provider OCL Vision has opened a free education and events platform for optical professionals: the OCL Vision Academy.
The surgeon-owned company, with locations in London and Hertfordshire, offers online webinars, in-person courses and events to give optometrists useful insights and expert knowledge from a team of consultant ophthalmologists.
Participants also have the opportunity to earn CPD points.
The platform runs alongside its shared-care partnership programme, which aims to improve patient choice in the community and connect optometrists and ophthalmologists.
Consultant ophthalmic surgeon Mr Allon Barsam, co-founder of the eye care brand, said the academy would strengthen its relationship with optometrists.
He believes the partnership programme is a powerful way to help surgeons and referrers work seamlessly together.
‘Community care is more important than ever as NHS hospital waiting lists are under significant pressure, meaning that many eye patients are now relying on optometrists to avoid the difficulties with the NHS.
‘We hope the OCL Vision Academy educational platform will be a useful education and development tool for optical professionals at every stage of their career.’
The academy aims to cover all aspects of cataract, corneal and retinal eye health. It also features an online knowledge base, available to shared care partners, allowing them to search for topics they want to learn more about.
A thumbs-up for the shared care partnership programme and the academy came from Justin Hardy, lead optometrist and owner of St Albans Eye Care Centre. ‘The scheme gives me confidence that the patients I refer will be looked after with professionalism and receive the highest quality of care available.
‘Once the patient has completed their surgery at OCL, it is reassuring to know that I will be able to provide the correct aftercare and the patient will be coming back to my practice with a personalised plan in place.’
Find out more about the OCL courses by emailing Sofia Carbognon at sofia@oclvision.com.