Well after a few weeks of being in primary care in the Eye Center, I am starting to get the swing of things. I am able to feel more confident in the exams and with my findings. It really is a great learning experience. I love getting feedback from my staff doctors. It is a good way to keep yourself in check and to grow as a clinician.
Recently we had a seminar on Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) contact lenses. RGPs are usually not the standard contact lens that we think of. Only about 9% of the general population wears them. Even though we are learning about RGP's in our contact lens class and lab, it was neat to see how they work in the real world and on real patients. I have not had too much interest in RGPs but this seminar was interesting. As part of the presentation, we had actual patients come in and we were able to view the fluoroscein patterns with the slit lamp and projected up on the big screen so our entire class could see. It was really neat to see how these lenses were able to improve the quality of life and vision for these patients, that a normal soft contact lens could not.
Another part of my clinical assignments, for the next few weeks, will be involved in central testing in the Eye Center. When I was a second year student, we had exposure in central testing. Basically, after a patient checks in, we do some "pre-testing" with them. We take their blood pressure and heart rate. We also use a non contact tonometer and do the "puff of air" test to measure their intraocular pressure. We also use the autorefractor and do lensometry to measure their glasses. After we get the results, we bring the patient up to the appropriate suite and drop them off with one of our classmates to begin the exam.
Well that is it for this week. I have a busy schedule these next few weeks with getting ready for finals. I am excited for school to start up for the newest members of SCO in August. I have met some of the members of class of 2014 and I look forward to meeting you all.
See you in a few weeks....