Identifying a Hidden Threat: The Optometrist's Role in Timely Diagnosis and Referral of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (CE Webcast)
Activity Description and Purpose
Optic neuritis presents as acute, sometimes painful, vision loss, and can be a presenting sign of a wide variety of unrelated diseases. Although optic neuritis is often attributed to multiple sclerosis and treated as such, another important and underrecognized cause is neuromyelitis spectrum disorder (NMOSD). NMOSD has a more aggressive course, and often causes irreversible blindness if not recognized and treated appropriately within days of symptom onset. In this interprofessional webcast, experts in optometric and neurologic assessment and treatment of NMOSD discuss best practices in diagnosis and referral of patients with possible NMOSD as well as clinical data supporting 3 newly approved long-term suppressive treatments specifically targeting immunologic pathways altered by NMOSD autoantibodies. The desired results of this activity are to increase awareness of NMOSD among optometrists and support timely identification and referral of patients with suspected NMOSD.
Target Audience
This educational activity is intended for optometrists.
Learning Objectives
After completing this activity, participants will be better able to:
- Describe the pathophysiology of NMOSD
- Differentiate the clinical features of NMOSD from those of other demyelinating disorders
- Discuss best practices for referral of patients with suspected NMOSD
- Review clinical trial data for current treatments for NMOSD
Patricia A. Modica, OD, FAAO (Chair and Co-Presenter) Assistant Clinical Professor University Eye Center State University of New York College of Optometry New York, New York | |
Jeffrey L. Bennett, MD, PhD (Co-Presenter) Gertrude Gilden Professor of Neurology and Ophthalmology Department of Neurology University of Colorado School of Medicine Denver, Colorado |
Disclosure Policy
MedEdicus requires that anyone who is in a position to control the content of this educational activity disclose all relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest. Financial relationship information is collected and resolved prior to the educational activity.
Faculty
Jeffrey L. Bennett, MD, PhD, is a consultant for AbbVie Inc, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Clene Nanomedicine, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Genentech, Inc, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Reistone Biopharma, and Viela Bio; is an advisory board member of F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Genentech, Inc, and TG Therapeutics, Inc; and is a contracted researcher for Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.
Patricia A. Modica, OD, has no relevant commercial relationships to disclose.
Planners and Managers
MedEdicus planners and managers have no relevant commercial relationships to disclose.
COPE approved for 1.0 CE credit for optometrists.
COPE Course ID: 70399-NO (Enduring Distance Learning)
COPE Course Category: Neuro-Optometry
Administrator:
Disclosure of Commercial Support
This continuing education activity is supported through an unrestricted educational grant from Genentech, Inc.
Off-Label Discussion
This educational activity may include discussion of unlabeled and/or investigational uses of drugs and devices. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each drug or device discussed in this activity for approved dosing, indications, and warnings.
Sponsored by
Provider Contact Information
For questions about this educational activity, please contact MedEdicus LLC at info@mededicus.com.
Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of the State University of New York College of Optometry, MedEdicus LLC, or Genentech, Inc.
This continuing education activity is copyrighted to MedEdicus LLC ©2020. All rights reserved. 224
Available Credit
- 1.00 COPE
Clicking Register indicates that you have reviewed the CE information for this activity.
Learning Method and Medium
This educational activity consists of a webcast and ten (10) study questions. The participant should, in order, read the learning objectives, complete the pretest, view the webcast, answer all questions in the post test, and complete the evaluation. To receive credit for this activity, please complete the post test and evaluation. This educational activity should take a maximum of 1.0 hour to complete.