Ophthalmology update

In this podcast, Dr Rachael Niederer overviews three hot topics in ophthalmology, and considers management in the current COVID-19 climate.

Topics

COVID-19 and the eye- Is this conjunctivitis a manifestation of C-19?
Hydroxychloroquinine- requires careful monitoring of the eye. Arrange for screening at years 1 and 5 year post-commencement.
Herpes Zoster Opthalmicus - clinical presentation, treatment and referral.

Take home messages

Protect the eyes from droplet spread with every interaction.
Hydroxychloroquinine- baseline eye screening is important
Herpes zoster opthalmicus- if eye signs are detected at initial consultantion - an urgent referral should be made.
A patient who has had Herpes Zoster opthalmicus- has an increased risk of stroke in the 2-4/12 post. Flag this in the notes.

Resources

Hydroxychloroquine – what you can expect when starting treatment MedSafe (2017)
Hydroxychloroquinine Health Navigator NZ
Characteristics of Ocular Findings of Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Hubei Province, China JAMA Ophthalmol. (2020)
The diagnosis and management of herpes zoster and its complications bpacnz (2014)

Presenter

Rachael Niederer

Uveitis and Medical Retina Specialist

Find out more...

Rachael Niederer attended Auckland University Medical School from 1997-2002, and won the highly prized Sir William McKenzie award for 'Early Excellence in Eye Research'.
She completed her PhD on Corneal Nerves and Keratoconus in 2008 and was awarded the Vice Chancellor's 'Best Doctoral Thesis' award.
Rachael completed her Ophthalmology vocational training in both Auckland and Hamilton and in the Ranzco final examination achieved a gold 'Howsam' medal for the highest marks in Australia and NZ.
In 2015 - 2016 Rachael completed her Fellowship at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, specialising in Uveitis and Medical Retina. In 2016 she was appointed Senior Medical Ophthalmologist at Greenlane Hospital and in the same year was the Ranzco college representative for Auckland Ophthalmology trainees. In 2019 Rachael was appointed as Senior Lecturer at the University of Auckland, Dept of Ophthalmology.

Rachael's research interest is extensive and includes more than 50 publications in Int'l journals and over 60 presentations at NZ and International conferences. She is involved as an investigator for Zoster Eye Disease study and has a particular interest Uveitis and Epidemiology of Eye Disease. Rachael is interested in and committed to decreasing inequalities within the community in the provision of eye care.