CAO Online CE Courses

This module provides an in-depth look at how diabetes can have a profound effect on vision and eye health. It also looks at the importance of routine eye exams and follow-up appointments as essential to maintaining not only good vision, but as part of an overall diabetes management strategy.

This module explores the risks of myopia and why myopia management is essential in today’s clinical practice.

Disclosure: This module is supported by an unrestricted educational grant from CooperVision.

Part 1

Vision is more than just seeing, it is a way of interacting and engaging with the world around us. Starting with A.M. Skeffington, part 1 of this module explores how changing the definition of vision and our understanding of how it develops led to the establishment of vision therapy as a practice.

Part 2

The second part of this module focuses on the business administration aspects of offering vision therapy services including appointments, patient management, and financial considerations.

This module looks at the development of children's vision and the importance of comprehensive eye exams for proper learning and development.

The purpose of this module is to explore the role of the Optometric Assistant (OA) in a management position within the practice. We will discuss the Human Resources (HR) side of an OAs role within an optometry practice, including hiring, scheduling, training staff, coaching, conducting employee reviews and performance evaluations, as well as enhancing the employee’s performance. We will also explore the importance of dealing with conflict resolution, both with patients and staff, and difficulties within the organization. Other topics we will touch base on include developing the OAs leadership skills- through continuing education, webinars, seminars, etc., networking within your community, use of the proper programs and tools, and the need to become familiar with your province’s Labour Laws and Employment Standards Act (ESA). Links to each province and territory's Labour law or ESA will be provided, as well as links to relevant YouTube videos to expand your knowledge on all topics related to HR and Practice Management.

What we eat, affects our eyes. Healthy eyes and good vision are dependent upon proper nutrition. Researchers are learning that a good diet, rich in vitamins and nutrients, can help prevent or slow the progression of ocular conditions such as cataracts, dry eyes, and macular degeneration.

Diagnostic Pharmaceutical Agents (DPA’s) are topical ophthalmic drugs used in optometric practice to aid in the diagnosis of ocular conditions and disease. This module reviews the role of an Optometric Assistant pertaining to the use of DPA’s in clinical practice highlighting the importance of case history, instillation, documentation and consent. The four most common classes of DPAs are reviewed including anesthetics, mydriatics, cycloplegics and dyes.

This module introduces the Optometric Assistant to the concept of ultraviolet (UV) light, the three types of UV rays and UV index. Individual risk factors, ocular disease associated with UV exposure and preventative measures are reviewed.

This module will enhance the Optometric Assistants understanding of refractive eye surgery by exploring patient selection criteria, pre-operative assessment, surgical procedures as well as post-operative care. The goal of this module is to review the most commonly performed refractive surgical procedures.

The purpose of this module is to provide an overview of low vision, low vision care and to enhance the optometric assistant’s knowledge of common low vision devices and their uses.

The goal of this module is to enhance the Optometric Assistant's knowledge and understanding of the most commonly performed ocular surgeries. This module is descriptive in nature and systematically explores anterior to posterior segment surgical procedures.

Dry eye disease is one of the most commonly encountered conditions in optometric practice. This module reviews the classification of dry eye disease, patient symptoms and risk factors. The Optometric Assistant is introduced to qualitative and quantitative clinical diagnostic screening and assessment protocols, as well as the latest prevention, treatment and management strategies.