College of Optometrists announces new accreditation of Professional Certificate in Glaucoma at University of Hertfordshire

College of Optometrists announces new accreditation of Professional Certificate in Glaucoma at University of Hertfordshire

The University of Hertfordshire has been accredited as a provider of the Professional Certificate in Glaucoma by the College of Optometrists. This is the first higher qualification that the University of Hertfordshire has been accredited to offer. The course is designed to prepare optometrists to participate in formal referral refinement and ocular hypertension (OHT)/suspect chronic open-angle glaucoma (COAG) monitoring schemes and provides the core knowledge and practical skills required in the detection of glaucoma within a primary setting.

Lizzy Ostler, Director of Education at the College of Optometrists, said: “I’m delighted to see the University of Hertfordshire join the group of Higher Education providers who are accredited to offer a College Higher Qualification. The College’s Higher Qualifications enable optometrists to deliver enhanced community services and to develop professionally and progress in their careers. The courses are all designed to fit in with the lives of busy professionals and are proving popular as healthcare systems develop in response to change causes by the pandemic. This Professional Cert course offered by the University of Hertfordshire will enable more optometrists to train in the management of glaucoma and thus give patients better access to a wider range of eye healthcare closer to home.”

Colin Davidson FCOptom, Programme Lead and Principal Lecturer at University of Hertfordshire said: “We are delighted to have had our first higher qualification accredited by The College of Optometrists. With the knowledge gained through this certificate, optometrists can work safely and confidently to manage stable glaucoma patients in the community or co-manage complex glaucoma in hospital clinics. These qualifications allow optometrists to demonstrate an ability to provide the best patient care in their chosen area and level of qualification.”

The course is a mixture of online lectures, one day face-to-face teaching and one day of face-to-face assessments. It will begin in January 2022 and lasts a total of fifteen weeks. Enrolment starts on 27 January 2022.

The Professional Certificate in Glaucoma is part of a growing 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 medical retina. Courses are undertaken on a part-time basis and are designed to fit with life in a busy practice or hospital department.