“Like any new skill, it’s all about practice”

Practitioners will have the opportunity to learn about gonioscopy at Therapeutics London (23–24 September, London) through a practical workshop.

Optometrist, Hayley Johnson, highlighted that the workshop is aimed at complete beginners who have no previous experience of gonioscopy.

“We’ll start by reviewing the structures of the angle that can be seen with the gonio lens and talk about the different types of lenses that are available,” she shared.

“Then it’s all about hands-on experience; first learning how to put the lens onto the eye and then moving onto viewing the angle and interpreting what can be seen,” Ms Johnson added.

She explained that the technique allows practitioners to view the structures of the anterior chamber angle.

While the Van Herick technique can be used to work out whether the angle is open or at risk of closure, gonioscopy allows the practitioner to see features such as new blood vessels and evidence of previous angle closure or trauma, Ms Johnson added.

“This means a more informed decision can be made regarding management and referral,” she said.

Ms Johnson observed that because the technique can seem invasive compared to other methods optometrists use to examine the eye, many practitioners are understandably nervous about performing gonioscopy.

“Like any new skill it’s all about practice…When I first learnt gonioscopy I started off by just putting the lens on lots of patients’ eyes in order to get a good technique,” she said.

“As you get more confident you can then concentrate on what you are seeing through the lens,” Ms Johnson added.

Therapeutics London is designed to appeal to practitioners who are part way through their therapeutics qualification or who are considering the independent prescribing route, as well as those who want to make better use of the existing core competencies.

For more information and to book, visit the AOP website.