Overview

Glaucoma is a subspeciality of Ophthalmology that deals with damage to the optic nerve causing sight loss. In this course you will learn about the presentation, diagnosis and management of primary and secondary glaucoma. 

The course covers the basics of glaucoma, starting with the study of its patterns and diagnostic methods such as optical coherence tomography, intraocular pressure measurements, and visual fields. It explores both open and closed-angle glaucoma, discussing primary and secondary causes. The course also delves into management techniques, including selective laser trabeculoplasty, laser peripheral iridotomy, and aspects of glaucoma surgery.

Who this course is for 

The course is ideal for any of the following healthcare professionals interested in gaining a concrete foundation in glaucoma:

• ophthalmologists
• resident doctors
• physicians
• general practitioners
• medical students
• optometrists
• orthoptists
• ophthalmic nurses
• vision scientists

Course content 

Epidemiology & Genetics of Glaucoma

• Who gets glaucoma – demographic and socio-economic risk factors
• Genetic markers of risk
• Steps toward precision medicine and individually tailored treatment to achieve the best outcomes for each patient

Primary Angle Closure

• Understand the mechanism and risk factor for primary angle closure
• Understand the classification of disease severity
• Evaluate different treatment options and their suitability in different stages of disease

Imaging of the Optic Disease and Macula for Diagnosis and Monitoring of Glaucoma

• Features and strengths of major imaging technologies used to examine the optic nerve and retina including
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT – time domain, spectral domain and swept source
• What machines can and cannot do
• Interpreting data generated by machines, and using it to make clinical decisions

 Imaging of the Anterior Segment

• Features and strengths of major anterior segment imaging platforms, with particular focus on anatomy of the drainage angle. 
• Ultrasound biomicroscopy
• Anterior segment OCT – time domain, spectral domain and swept source
• Landmarks and key features
• How to use imaging in diagnosis and planning management

Laser Treatments for Glaucoma

• Laser iridotomy
• Laser iridoplasty
• Laser trabeculoplasty (argon and selective)
• Cyclo-ablation (trans-scleral, endoscopic and micropulse)

Surgery for Glaucoma

• Trabeculectomy

Teaching and structure 

The course content is designed so that you can go through the topics and pre-recorded lectures online at your own pace. There will be an online forum for asking questions.

The course will be hosted on UCL Extend, UCL's learning platform for short courses and professional education.

Access to the course materials will end one month after the course end date. This will be listed on the course area on UCL Extend.

Certificates and assessment 

There will be a multiple-choice quiz with 20 questions at the end of the course.

A certificate of completion will issued on completion of the multiple choice quiz and course feedback form.

Ophthalmologists are eligible for self-certification of CPD points at 1 point/hour in their portfolio.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to: 

• Explain the epidemiology of glaucoma.
• Demonstrate the process of diagnosing glaucoma.
• Diagnose and treat primary and secondary forms of open and closed-angle glaucoma.
• Evaluate laser, medical, and surgical treatment options for patients.

Cost

The standard course fee is £650.

Course team

Rashmi Mathew

Rashmi is a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital, where she is a glaucoma specialist and is an Associate Professor at UCL. Rashmi is a co-director of two master’s degree programmes in advanced clinical practice at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology. She is the Deputy Director for the Undergraduate Education Directorate at Moorfields, a department which oversees the training of 1200 medical students a year from four different medical schools. 

Course information last modified: 9 Apr 2025, 11:26