Oral Therapeutics: Confident and Safe Use of Systemic Medications in Eye Care - Optometry Continuing Education, 4 Hours

Approved for 4 Hours

Here's How Simple It Is:

1. Read the material online
2. Complete the quiz online
3. Get your certificate and earn hours towards your license renewal
4. Access Optometry automatically reports your completions to COPE and your state board (if applicable) within 7 days

Course Outcome

≥93% of participants will expand their expertise in using systemic oral medications to manage eye-related infections, inflammation, and pressure spikes.

Course Objectives

After completing this course, the participant will be able to:

• Identify when systemic medications such as antibiotics, antivirals, corticosteroids, NSAIDs, and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are appropriate for treating ocular conditions.
• Recognize systemic side effects, contraindications, and red flags when prescribing oral medications for patients with complex medical histories.
• Confidently manage emergency scenarios such as acute angle closure, herpes zoster ophthalmicus, and periorbital infections with appropriate systemic drug therapy.
• Document systemic prescribing decisions clearly and ethically using protocols, checklists, and EHR integration tools to support safety and compliance.

Who Should Enroll?

• Licensed Optometrists (ODs): Practicing optometrists in therapeutic or full-scope practices who want to improve their prescribing confidence, sharpen their clinical judgment, and expand their systemic treatment skills for ocular disease.
• Residency-Trained Clinicians: Early-career optometrists seeking to develop safe and consistent systemic prescribing habits grounded in real-world clinical cases and interprofessional care models.