7 minute read
CET MCAs – C-75872
Multiple choice answers
Getting started in low vision is as easy as A, B, See
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By Gaynor Whitehouse FBDO (Hons) LVA. C-75872 – published August 2020 Six of the following questions were presented online to entrants to comply with the General Optical Council’s best practice specifications for this type of CET.
Which of the following cannot conduct a low vision assessment?
a. Dispensing optician b. A low vision optician c. A contact lens optician d. An optical assistant d is the correct answer. A wide range of qualified professionals can conduct a low vision assessment. Within a practice setting, this would be anyone who holds a GOC registerable qualification such as an optometrist. This also includes dispensing opticians, as low vision is one of their GOC core competencies, and contact lens opticians as they would have had to undertake the dispensing qualification also. In a practice, the low vision optician would be the preferred person to conduct the assessment as they have received additional specialist training.
What is the key driver for a patient to benefit from a low vision assessment?
a. Patient motivation b. Practitioner experience c. Large choice of magnifiers d. Referral for emotional support a is the correct answer. All of the possible answers are important but none will be of any use unless the patient is motivated to participate fully in the appointment and is committed to making changes in their way of life; recognising that compromises may need to be made. If the patient has not yet reached the acceptance stage and is not actively seeking support, then success will be limited. However, the assessment is still a useful experience for the patient if only so that they know what support is on offer when they are ready to explore it.
Where might informal low vision support occur?
a. In hospital b. In a practice c. In a support group d. At a low vision charity c is the correct answer. Informal low vision support may occur in many settings and focus on emotional support or advice. Support groups, emotional befriending and peer support are as important in supporting a low vision patient in their journey as formal support in the form of professionals at/in a hospital or practice environment. Both formal and informal support and assessment are needed to provide holistic care for the patient.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2020, which of the following definitions would be classified as low vision?
a. Low vision is visual acuity less than 6/24 and equal to or better than 6/60 in the better eye with best correction b. Low vision is visual acuity less than 6/24 and equal to or better than 6/60 in the better eye without correction c. Low vision is visual acuity less than 6/18 and equal to or better than 3/60 in the better eye with best correction d. Low vision is visual acuity less than 6/18 and equal to or better than 3/60 in the better eye without correction c is the correct answer. There are many definitions used. This is the WHO definition and is distinct and different from those used to certify a patient as sight impaired or severely sight impaired in the UK, which uses a combination of visual acuity and visual field.
Which would be the most accurate layman’s description of low vision?
a. A person cannot see well without using their spectacles or contact lenses b. A person cannot see even when using spectacles or contact lenses c. A person has a very high prescription d. A person has very thick spectacles b is the correct answer. It is useful to have a very basic way of explaining low vision to a patient and others. By saying a patient cannot see even when fully corrected can help people to understand low vision, and help others to empathise by giving some measure of understanding that they can relate to. It is important to understand that low vision cannot be corrected with spectacles no matter how strong they may be. It is not simply a case of needing a new pair of specs. Answer c and d may (or not) also relate to low vision but is not an indicator on its own.
Who can offer certification of low vision leading to registration?
a. A low vision optician b. An optometrist c. An ophthalmologist d. A rehabilitation officer
Participants are advised that the GOC’s Enhanced CET Principles and Requirements v4 document states that for text article CET questions: “A proportion of the questions should require the application of existing professional knowledge to determine the answer”. This can include personal research online, or following up the article references.
c is the correct answer. Only a consultant ophthalmologist can certify a patient as sight impaired (SI) or severely sight impaired (SSI). It is this certification that enables a patient to register as SI or SSI and receive any assistance to which this entitles them. A dispensing optician or optometrist can refer the patient to the ophthalmologist for assessment (local protocols not withstanding). A patient would usually be referred to a rehabilitation officer for support once a need has been established.
In order to estimate the magnification help a patient requires, what distance should be used for calculation?
a. 25cm b. 30cm c. 35 cm d. 40 cm a is the correct answer. 25cm is the standard used to estimate magnification. The near visual acuity is measured at 25cm and then divided by the desired acuity, which will give a value for the magnification required. This is an estimate only and provides a starting point for magnification. If time allows, it may be preferable to measure patient working distance and try a variety of magnification to find the patient preferred choice.
ONLINE REGIONAL EVENTS FOR MEMBERS LAUNCHED 2020 has been a year of change. ABDO is changing too, making the most of digital opportunities to bring members together. Following on from its successful online Consultation Day last month, ABDO has announced a series of regional policy meetings to take place during December.
These meetings will allow members to discover the latest on national and local policy work, including updates on Covid-19.
ABDO head of policy, Debbie McGill, said: “This new series of meetings is the way ABDO will be engaging going forwards in 2021. It is your chance to meet your regional team members, who are on hand to support you locally. There will also be question and answer sessions, giving ABDO members the chance to have their say. And while we are starting with digital events, we hope that 2021 will give us the chance to offer these events face-to-face too – and include the delivery of CPD.”
At the events, ABDO’s head of policy and regional leads will be presenting and consulting on ABDO policy objectives, as well as highlighting opportunities available throughout the UK for dispensing and contact lens opticians to develop and deliver further eye health care.
“We will take this opportunity to consult members on any barriers to developing and utilising skills in practice,” Debbie added.
Which of the following statements about acuity reserves is false?
a. Acuity reserve is defined as a ratio of a given print size to the near acuity threshold for reading a letter or a character b. Acuity reserve is defined as a ratio of a given print size to the distance acuity threshold for reading a chart at 6m c. Acuity reserve is usually calculated at 2:1 d. Some practitioners calculated acuity reserve using 3:1 b is the correct answer. Acuity reserve refers to near vision only and it is essential for a practitioner to know the acuity reserve in order for a patient to read fluently. Both values of 2:1 and 3:1 can be used.
Which of the following is not a way to achieve magnification?
a. A magnifier b. Move closer to object c. Use higher contrast d. Choose a bigger object to view c is the correct answer. Magnification is about increasing the image size that falls on the retina. his can be achieved in many ways. Answer c is relevant to a low vision patient as increased contrast makes things easier
REGIONAL EVENTS
to see but, this does not magnify the retinal image.
Alongside this, regional leads will update members on ABDO’s work with the representative bodies in each nation, and the head of policy will provide an update on ongoing discussions with each nation’s government.
As Covid-19 looks like it will remain top of the agenda for some time yet, each meeting ABDO head of policy, Debbie McGill will also be a chance for ABDO to hear how members are managing on the front line, to advise on public health advice in relation to infection prevention and control and personal protective equipment, and to offer advice for employers and employees on practice risk assessments and dispensing to children at this time.
Regional events dates: • Thursday 3 December – Wales • Monday 7 December – Northern Ireland • Thursday 10 December – England • Monday 14 December – Scotland Find out more and book onto the event for your region at
