College of Optometrists announces new accreditation of Professional Higher Certificate in Medical Retina

Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology has been accredited as a provider of the Professional Higher Certificate in Medical Retina by The College of Optometrists. The course is designed to build upon the College’s Professional Certificate in Medical Retina, to further develop skills in screening, diagnosing, and managing a variety of medical retina conditions.

Lizzy Ostler, Director of Education at The College of Optometrists, said: “It is great to see this course becoming available at Moorfields/UCL, the first to provide this level of medical retina qualification in the UK, which will enable more optometrists to develop skills needed in this area. The College’s higher qualifications allow optometrists to take full advantage of opportunities to deliver community services that help to prevent sight loss in patients.”
Ashish Chokshi MCOptom, Principal Optometrist, Lead for Medical Retina at Moorfields and Medical Retina Module Lead at UCL said: “We are delighted to have this accreditation from the College, which will enable optometrists to complete the full suite of Medical Retina courses at Moorfields/UCL. We are now providing seven higher qualification courses which allow optometrists to demonstrate an ability to provide the best patient care in their chosen area and this has proven to be especially important throughout the pandemic.”

The course consists of a mixture of online lectures and self-directed study. It will include practical days with lectures, workshops, tutorials, and case discussions. It will require placement in a hospital medical retina clinic and a portfolio submission. The course begins in January 2022 and lasts for 6 months.

In addition to the Professional Higher Certificate in Medical Retina, Moorfields Eye Hospital and the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology also offer the College’s Professional Certificate in Glaucoma, The Professional Higher Certificate in Glaucoma, the Professional Diploma in Glaucoma, The Professional Certificate in Medical Retina, The Professional Higher Certificate in Contact Lens Practice and The Professional Diploma in Contact Lens Practice qualifications.

The Professional Higher Certificate in Medical Retina is part of a comprehensive collection of higher qualifications developed by the College to enable optometrists to provide extended services in key areas such as contact lens practice, paediatrics, low vision and glaucoma. Courses are undertaken on a part-time basis and are designed to fit with life in a busy practice or hospital department.

For more details on the content of the Professional Higher Certificate in Medical Retina at Moorfields, please contact Ashish Chokshi or the administration team via email: moorfields.hq@nhs.net.

For more information about College-accredited higher qualifications, visit the College website. .