OPTO8004 Optometry 1

2018

4.5

2 x 1-hour lectures per semester
1 x 4-hour seminar per semester
11 x 4-hour workshops per semester
3 x 2-hour practical-1s per semester
5 x 3-hour practical-2s per semester
1 x 1.5-hour independent study weekly
3 x 1-hour on-line lectures per semester
1 x 2.5-hour project work weekly

1 3 of OPTO8001, OPTO8002, OPTO8003
2 Admission into BMSVMOPT-Bachelor of Medical Science (Vision Science), Master of Optometry
Must Satisfy: (1 and 2)

OPTO8007 - Clinical Placements 1

The entirety of the Bachelor of Medical Science (Vision Science), but in particular:

OPTO3001 Knowledge of Health and Illness for Optometrists 1

OPTO3003 Clinical Skills 1

OPTO3004 Communication for the Consulting Room

The content of the following Master of Optometry topics:

OPTO8001 Knowledge of Health and Illness for Optometrists 2

OPTO8003 Clinical Skills 2

Students must enrol in OPTO8007 in the same semester

Assignments; Examination (50%); Project; Attendance at the Intensive Workshops is compulsory.

This topic has three areas of focus: contact lens practice, paediatric and binocular vision and research.

The contact lens teaching covers the following content areas: Contact Lens Fitting; Examination Procedures for Contact Lens Patients; Care and Maintenance; The Cornea in Contact Lens Wear; Contact Lens Related Ocular Complications; Special Contact Lens Fitting / New technologies; Business Aspects of Contact Lens Practice.

The binocular vision and paediatrics teaching covers the following content areas: Diagnosis of a Deviation of the Visual Axes; Adaptations Associated with Deviated Visual Axes; Accommodation and vergence disorders; Childhood visual development and disorders; Examining children; Childhood development and learning; Interprofessional care of children; Therapeutic intervention and Management of Disorders.

The research project crosses the three Optometry topics in three semesters. Students are required to select a research project, write a 10-page NHMRC styled grant proposal, submit and receive ethical approval for the project.

This topic builds on the fundamental optometry knowledge and skills students have acquired in preceding semesters. Coupled with the commencement of their clinical training, this topic enables the building of advanced skills and knowledge in the following areas: contact lens practice, binocular vision and paediatrics. This will empower students to engage broadly in contact lens practice, to manage clinically the spectrum of binocular vision disorders and to engage in paediatric care, including in multi-disciplinary care. Students will also learn how to plan, organise and commence a substantial research project.

At the completion of this topic, students would be expected to:

• Have an extended understanding of contact lens practice

• Have an in depth understanding of oculomotor and binocular vision disorders

• Have an extended understanding of childhood development, including visual development and learning

• Be able to demonstrate strategies for fitting soft and rigid gas permeable contact lenses

• Be able to demonstrate strategies for managing contact lens patients

• Be able to demonstrate strategies for managing the spectrum of binocular vision disorders

• Be able to demonstrate strategies for engaging with, examining and managing paediatric patients

• Be able to plan and organise a substantial research project.