Show Notes
In this episode of the Eye Views podcast from Eye News, host Lorcan Butler speaks with Lucia Pelosini, a consultant ophthalmologist at King's College Hospital, London, about the crucial and expanding role of the Oculus Pentacam in ophthalmology and anterior segment imaging. The discussion highlights how the Pentacam has evolved from a dedicated diagnostic device for cornea anterior topography to a tool used for a full examination of the anterior segment.The Oculus Pentacam is used daily in a busy practice, and its versatility is a key focus of Dr Pelosini's episode. The discussion covers several critical applications such as the Pentacam's vital screening capabilities and significant educational value for patients. Clinicians can show pictures to patients to explain pathology and clinical decisions, which saves time and is engaging for patients, who often say they finally understand their problem.The Oculus Pentacam is central to the diagnostic platform for patients with corneal diseases like keratoconus or corneal dystrophy. It helps detect early-stage keratoconus, which is important for planning interventions like collagen cross-linking or corneal rings to slow disease progression. It also assesses the densitometry of the cornea. This is critical for patients with dystrophies, such as Fuch's disease, to understand how much visual function is impacted by corneal abnormalities versus lens cloudiness. It also performs pachymetry measurements, assessing the central, paracentric, and peripheral cornea. It also provides a correcting factor to apply to IOP measurements for glaucoma patients.The Oculus Pentacam offers a 3D reconstruction and objective measurements of the anterior chamber depth and angle depth from 25 different directions. This is used for glaucoma patients, assessing drainage tubes, and pre-operative planning for phakic IOLs. The device examines the crystalline lens and its densitometry. It has a grading system for nuclear sclerosis, which is useful for risk assessment and assigning cases to surgeons of different levels in a tertiary hospital setting.The Oculus Pentacam is a 'critical examination' for calculating the IOL power for patients with a history of LASIK or radial keratotomy. By measuring the posterior corneal surface, it significantly increases the reliability and precision of the lens implant prediction. It also helps examine the cornea for complications like a flap fold or epithelial ingrowth.For premium IOLs (multifocal IOLs or toric IOLs), the Oculus Pentacam provides the total corneal refractive power, aberrometry, and refraction. It measures pupil size (in dim and bright light) and detects higher-order aberrations, helping clinicians select the correct lens for the patient.Retroillumination is vital for assessing the position of a toric IOL post-surgery. The Oculus Pentacam features software to identify the precise IOL axis and guide the clinician on how many degrees and in which direction the lens needs to be realigned.The discussion emphasises the logistical advantage of having one diagnostic platform that can quickly perform five different assessments (tomography, topography, biometry, refraction, aberrometry, and retroillumination). Eye News is the longest-running print and digital magazine dedicated to ophthalmology in the UK, with an international and domestic readership of healthcare professionals, both within the NHS and private healthcare practices. Season 2 of Eye Views is proudly sponsored by Mainline Instruments. Visit their website here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0rc4Th0 To reach their team, email: [email protected]
More from Eye Views
Consultant Ophthalmologist Nishani Amerasinghe joins host Lorcan Butler on the Eye Views podcast to discuss her passion for glaucoma. She explains how the specialty’s inquisitive community and numerous unanswered questions initially drew her in. With rapid advancements in surgical technologies, she highlights why glaucoma has become such a fantastic and boundary-pushing field for specialists today. Amerasinghe also highlights why now is the most exciting time for specialists and trainees to enter the field, including Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) and the 'explosion' of angle surgery and new implants that has revolutionised surgical intervention; advanced laser treatments, such as how the shift from conventional Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) to Direct Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (DSLT) is helping clinics manage backlogs more efficiently; AI is also increasingly utilised for diagnosis and monitoring, marking the next major milestone in glaucoma management; and pharmaceutical innovation, with the arrival of Rocklatan and how the field saw its first new drop in 25 years, alongside developing novel drug delivery systems that reduce reliance on patient compliance.A central theme of the discussion is the lifelong relationship between a glaucoma specialist and their patient. Amerasinghe speaks to how many patients associate a glaucoma diagnosis with immediate blindness; the specialist's role is to show them they can live well, drive, and maintain hobbies. Utilising organisations like Glaucoma UK for patient information and 'buddy systems' helps patients navigate the lifestyle nuances of the disease.As a past president of the UK and Eire Glaucoma Society (UKEGS), Amerasinghe encourages trainees to reach out to the "inquisitive" and "approachable" glaucoma community. She notes that social media—specifically LinkedIn and Instagram—has made mentorship more accessible than ever before.Eye News is the longest-running print and digital magazine dedicated to ophthalmology in the UK, with an international and domestic readership of healthcare professionals, both within the NHS and private healthcare practices. Season 2 of Eye Views is proudly sponsored by Mainline Instruments. Visit their website here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0rc4Th0 To reach their team, email: [email protected]
In this episode of the Eye Views podcast, host Lorcan Butler engages in a deep-dive conversation with Brendan Cummings, a consultant ophthalmologist and refractive surgeon. Based in Dublin at the Wellington Eye Clinic and a central hospital, Cummings brings a unique perspective on the convergence of traditional cataract surgery and modern refractive techniques.The discussion centers on the philosophy that cataract surgery is a refractive procedure. Cummings explains that achieving optimal outcomes requires a highly personalized approach, often involving a two-and-a-half-hour evaluation to align surgical options with a patient’s lifestyle, visual needs, and priorities. He introduces the critical concept of "compromise" in lens selection, noting that while broader ranges of vision offer greater spectacle independence, they often involve a trade-off in visual quality.A major theme of the episode is ocular surface optimization. Cummings emphasizes that no surgery should proceed without a healthy ocular surface, as suboptimal tears can lead to post-operative dissatisfaction and dry eye symptoms. He details the clinic's diagnostic and treatment strategies, including diagnostics (measuring tear meniscus height, non-invasive tear breakup time, and tear film osmolarity) and treatments (managing blepharitis, utilizing IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) therapy, and performing meibomian gland expression or probing).The conversation also highlights the vital role of community optometrists in the "health ecosystem". Cummings advocates for strong referral pathways, noting that community optometrists are often best positioned to manage pre-surgical ocular surface health and provide long-term patient education.Eye News is the longest-running print and digital magazine dedicated to ophthalmology in the UK, with an international and domestic readership of healthcare professionals, both within the NHS and private healthcare practices. Season 2 of Eye Views is proudly sponsored by Mainline Instruments. Visit their website here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0rc4Th0 To reach their team, email: [email protected]
Join host Lorcan Butler for a fascinating episode of the Eye Views podcast, featuring consultant ophthalmologist and corneal surgeon Aisling Higham. In this deep dive, Higham discusses her dual role as a clinician in Oxford and the Medical Director of Euphonia, an innovative company at the forefront of medical AI.Discover how Dora, a groundbreaking conversational AI assistant, is revolutionizing clinical pathways by automating repetitive conversations between doctors and patients. Higham shares insights from over 120,000 clinical interactions, explaining how this technology is currently being used to streamline cataract follow-ups and improve service efficiency across the UK, US, Canada, and the Netherlands.Key topics covered in this episode include the origin of Dora and how a frustration with repetitive clinical dialogue led to the development of an AI capable of handling routine follow-up activities; breaking language barriers and how insights into current trials at Moorfields Eye Hospital to validate Dora across 10 different languages, including Turkish and Polish; and moving beyond ophthalmology, Higham discusses how conversational AI can be applied to various medical specialties and the ethical frameworks needed for its growth.Whether you are an eyecare professional, a tech enthusiast, or a patient curious about the future of medicine, this episode offers a unique look at how artificial intelligence is becoming a trusted partner in the clinic.Follow Eye News for more insights into the world of ophthalmology and vision scienceEye News is the longest-running print and digital magazine dedicated to ophthalmology in the UK, with an international and domestic readership of healthcare professionals, both within the NHS and private healthcare practices. Season 2 of Eye Views is proudly sponsored by Mainline Instruments. Visit their website here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0rc4Th0 To reach their team, email: [email protected]
In this episode of the Eye Views podcast, presented by Eye News Magazine, host Lorcan Butler sits down with Gok Ratnarajan, a prominent Consultant Ophthalmologist and Head of Glaucoma at Queen Victoria Hospital. Together, they explore the often-overlooked but vital "soft skill" of communication in ophthalmology. Ratnarajan shares deep insights into how effective communication serves as the cornerstone of patient care, especially when managing chronic conditions like glaucoma. He discusses his personal journey from medical school at UCL to becoming a specialist, noting that while technical skills are taught rigorously, the nuances of the "real world" and breaking life-changing news are often learned through experience. Eye News is the longest-running print and digital magazine dedicated to ophthalmology in the UK, with an international and domestic readership of healthcare professionals, both within the NHS and private healthcare practices. Season 2 of Eye Views is proudly sponsored by Mainline Instruments. Visit their website here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0rc4Th0 To reach their team, email: [email protected]
This episode of the Eye Views podcast from Eye News Magazine features a deep dive into the evolving world of ophthalmic surgery and its direct impact on patient quality of life. Host Lorcan Butler sits down with Professor Dan Lindfield, a renowned Consultant Ophthalmologist from Guildford and Professor at City University of London, to discuss the intersection of glaucoma management and premium lens technology. As the boundaries between cataract refractive surgery and glaucoma treatment continue to blur, Professor Lindfield explores how technological shifts are moving clinicians beyond traditional monofocal lenses. The discussion focuses on the rise of Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF) and enhanced monofocal lenses, which offer patients significant improvements in intermediate vision and reduced spectacle dependence without the light-splitting drawbacks of older multifocal designs. Eye News is the longest-running print and digital magazine dedicated to ophthalmology in the UK, with an international and domestic readership of healthcare professionals, both within the NHS and private healthcare practices. Season 2 of Eye Views is proudly sponsored by Mainline Instruments. Visit their website here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0rc4Th0 To reach their team, email: [email protected]