Eye Health Collaborative Care and Quality Improvement in General Practice

The aim of this session is to outline how GPs and optometrists can collaborate to improve care for patients with red eyes, eyelid conditions and diabetes.

People with acute eye symptoms commonly present to their general practitioner for advice and care. A diagnosis can be difficult without eye-specific equipment and an incorrect treatment or a delay in appropriate treatment can lead to poor patient outcomes. 

This session will outline some tips for examining acute eye and eyelid conditions in general practice and explore how general practitioners can work with local primary care optometrists to best manage these patients. We will discuss the scope of optometric care with regards to ocular therapeutic care. 

Interdisciplinary care is also vital in the management of patients with diabetes. Optometrists work with in a team with general practitioners, endocrinologists, ophthalmologists, and others to optimise health outcomes for these patients. Optometry has a key role in ensuring screening for diabetic eye disease is accessible to all patients. New technologies in this field will be highlighted.

Speakers

Maria Bui, Melbourne Eyecare Clinic

Maria grew up in Sydney and completed her Bachelor of Optometry at the University of NSW. She went on to complete the Graduate Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics and Master of Optometry with an interest in children’s vision.

Maria has had a long and varied career in optometry. She has volunteered in multidisciplinary health teams with Vietnam Vision Project and has worked with International Centre for Eyecare Education in teaching activities in Da Nang Vietnam.

Maria has always been passionate about teaching. She previously worked at the UNSW Optometry Clinic and following a move to Melbourne, commenced working at Melbourne Eyecare Clinic in 2015 as a Senior Clinical Teaching Instructor. Over the last 12 months she has taken on an additional role at the Clinic to develop stronger relationships with external partners including local GPs, schools, pharmacies and local council. 

Sarah Zerbib, Manager, Education & Development, Vision 2020 Australia

Sarah is responsible for Education and Development activities at Vision 2020 Australia, the peak body for eye health and vision care in Australia.

Sarah has been working in the not-for-profit sector in Australia and the UK for over 18 years, she has experience in project management, health promotion and professional education.

Sarah is a mother of two who enjoys spending time with her family and travelling. Born and raised in France, she is a committee member of the French Bilingual Association of Melbourne.

Learning outcomes:

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Identify factors which would prompt a referral to primary eye care for evaluation of red eye/eyelid to improve patient outcomes and understand the risk of providing treatment without advice from an eye care practitioner 
• Explain referral pathways and referral timelines to eyecare practitioners
• Identify key risk factors for the development of diabetic eye disease to determine appropriate frequency of eye exams for individual patients.