51: Brain tumours, Part 1 – A unique perspective

A brain tumour is an abnormal growth or mass of cells in or around the brain. They can be life-threatening and their incidence is increasing in the UK, as the population gets older. Around a third of people affected by a brain tumour report a problem with their vision. That’s why optometrists are uniquely placed to catch suspicious signs early and refer patients into hospital for further checks. You may well end up saving a life.

In the first of two episodes on brain tumours and neuro-ophthalmology, Michelle Hanratty speaks to Connor McCann, an optometrist in Bristol who was incidentally diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2022. Connor explains what it’s like to live with — and treat — brain tumours. He also shares insights on how to communicate with and care for patients with more compassion and empathy.

Read more about Connor’s story on his blog, called “Eye Am Connor”.

Don’t forget that if you have a topic in mind that you’d like us to cover, or if you’ve got an interesting case study you’d like to share, send Docet a message on LinkedIn.

GOC-registered optometrists practising in England, Wales or Northern Ireland can gain 1 CPD point by listening to this podcast and completing the exercise on our website. This episode covers the GOC domain of Communication and Professionalism. Docet - dedicated to providing quality optometric education and professional development.