Guineapig at University training

[Ian Anderson]

I have been asked to do a couple of days at City University London as a test case for the final year exams of the Opticians / Opthalmologists.

I said yes because I believe the more people who see the "disease" the more chance others will be able to diagnose it properly and get the correct prescriptions issued.
I have been promised the most accurate eye test ever to enable a new pair of glasses to be done. Perhaps even have them done on site!

Has anyone else been on any of these type of things and if so what to expect?

Thanks Ian

[Anne Klepacz]

That's a great thing to do, Ian. The more newly fledged optometrists know about KC the better for all of us! I haven't been involved in exams, but a couple of us went along to Anglia Ruskin Uni a few years ago when Lynn White gave a lecture about KC to final year optometry students and we acted as guinea pigs for a demonstration of Kerasoft lens fitting which was great fun, and an opportunity to tell the students about the KC Group and what we do. A couple of us also went along as guinea pigs to a London optometry practice to act as guinea pigs for a SoClear lens fitting seminar. And I know several forum members have taken part in the workshops that Ken Pullum organises for training optoms in scleral lens fitting. We also included an appeal from a contact lens material manufacturer for volunteers in their workshops in our last newsletter. As you say, apart from helping in the development of new and better lens options, it's often a chance to get some lenses/glasses that will work for you so it's beneficial to both sides.
Do let us know how you get on.
Anne

[Andrew MacLean]

My eyes are frequently examined by sundry students; in fact this began decades ago in Aberdeen and has continued ever since. As you say, everybody has to begin somewhere, and it would be unhelpful to us all if students of optometry or any other disciplines with whom we come into contact had no experience of our condition in its various stages.

Andrew

[Lynn White]

Hi All,

Letting students have a look at real keratoconic corneas is a great way to educate them. Actually, I did a workshop at ARU again a couple of weeks ago and took two patients along.

The students really appreciated seeing "real" patients, as they get to hear what it is really like to be keratoconic.

My advice to anyone volunteering for anything like this is take every opportunity to explain how the condition affects you, both visually and in regard to how you live your life.

However, exam conditions are more formal and often the point is not to tell the examinee what is wrong with you

Lynn

[Ian Anderson]

Thanks Lynn

So I don't lt them see my glasses till they come up with a prescription and then see how far out they are?

Ian

[Ian Anderson]

Ok time for a quick update!

Sorry been crazy at work but it has now calmed down to a ma panic!

Anyway I went to the City University site near Moorfields and waited.
Eventually I was asked to come up to be reviewed by the examiner prior to the students coming in. That way he could confirm they saw the correct problem and got the correct diagnosis

He had a good look at my worse eye (right) and said something like "This could be fun!"

Anyway through came the students - they were all registered in foreign countries and were here to pass their conversion exam prior to bein let loose on the GB public.

First session 2 students
One American / Canadian from her accent and the other from Indian sub continent both examined me and moved on to next "guineapig"

Examiner then said he'd make it easier for them and wrote down my prescription!

Shortly thereafter a further 3 students
This time all with Nigerian accents

In the afternoon another 2students - again Nigerian

Next day only 1 session with another 3 students - again Nigerian

I asked the examiner just prior to the final session if the students has diagnosed me correctly - and he replied only 2 so far! So not that good since they were supposedly already practicing in their own countries

I presume from the examining done that it was only the first 2 students as they utilised one piece of equipment and the rest did not utilise it.

Anyway a couple of days of my life spent hopefully helping people gain more access to this conditionis not a bad thing, and part of the agreement is that I can now make an appointment to get fully tested free of charge and lenses done FOC too. Also had my travel paid for the 2 days and small expenses - covered lunch but not much more!

I also let them know if the needed more guiniepigs I could try and organise them through here

Cheers
Ian