Optometry MOptom

The module will introduce fundamental clinical techniques used in examination of the eye including measuring vision, refraction, ocular health assessment and history taking. Initial elements of the module will introduce you to the ethical principles that underpin Optometry as a healthcare profession. The professional development element of the module will encourage you to explore issues of lifelong learning, reflective practice and continuing professional development that underpin the essential skills needed in order to meet registration requirements in Optometry.

This module covers the fundamental anatomy and physiology of the eye with an aim to build a theoretical grounding which may be applied to concurrent modules on the course. You'll be required to apply knowledge from Human Body Systems to various aspects of this module. The module will focus on various ocular structures (including the cornea, lens, retina) and ocular adnexa (including eyelids and extraocular muscles). You'll study these structures in detail and consider how anatomical structure links to function. You'll also begin to consider age-related changes and ocular pathologies.

You'll have the opportunity to understand the principles of Ophthalmic lenses and frames to interpret refraction and be able to dispense appropriate and suitable spectacles to a patient. The principles of refraction are introduced with respect to single vision lenses, bifocal, and progressive powered lenses, with further analysis of lens aberrations, lens design, treatments and tinting of lenses. Frame materials, measurements, special optical appliances, paediatric and complex dispensing are covered, as well as legal aspects, quality control, and standards for dispensing spectacles.

This module will build on knowledge gained from the concurrent modules on Ocular Anatomy and Physiology and Human Body Systems to develop an understanding of how ocular and neural structures contribute to basic functions of vision science that underlie visual perception. You'll study the mechanisms of spatial, temporal and colour vision to understand how these support normal and sub-normal visual perception.

This module will consider the physics of light, moving from basic light as a ‘ray’ optical properties such as reflection and refraction, lenses, mirrors and prisms through to ‘light as a wave’ optics and diffraction, interference and polarisation. This module provides the foundation for an understanding of visual optics and the mechanics of optical instruments and will use examples from these areas to show application of the principles on human eye.

The purpose of this module is to give you the opportunity to develop a detailed knowledge and understanding of binocular vision and paediatric optometry. This module will act as a theoretical base for the development of normal binocular and paediatric vision, anomalies in this area and the tests used to investigate these anomalies. Practical sessions will be used to teach the application of various tests used in the investigation of binocular vision and paediatric optometry anomalies. This module will provide the foundation for management strategies for binocular and paediatric anomalies in the third year of this Optometry MOptom course. The aim of this module is to continue to develop your life-long learning and reflective skills and prepare you for future clinical challenges.

You'll evaluate the requirements of your patients’ needs and expectations and use appropriate knowledge to determine the optimum corrective strategy (if necessary) for that individual. You'll ensure the correct selection of contact lenses, fit of a contact lens; optimal visual correction and advise patients on the usage and care routines required. You'll have the opportunity to understand the legal guidelines and responsibilities within the profession for the dispensing and compliance of contact lenses as this relates to patients.

The purpose of this module is to develop knowledge and understanding of important investigative techniques involved of optometric primary optometric practice. It will act as a supplement for the practical module Clinical Skills 2. This module covers a wide range of clinical techniques used in clinical practice. Detailed case studies will be used to consider the application of the clinical techniques.

This module builds on the knowledge gained in year one in Ocular Anatomy and Physiology and Human Body Systems to introduce the concept of diseases and abnormalities of the eye and their investigation. An introduction to clinical presentation and the optometric and medical management of such diseases and abnormalities will be given. Commensurate with these topics, the major classes of drugs in use in modern Optometric practice, for example mydriatics and cycloplegics, staining agents, local anaesthetics and their physiological mode of action, their benefits and potential side effects will also be covered together with the associated legal requirements for optometric use.

This module will continue to build on the primary ocular health and pharmacology introduced in the second year, exploring a wider range of abnormal ocular conditions. You'll learn to detect abnormality, discuss salient features, formulate provisional diagnoses and continue to develop optometric management strategies including therapeutic interventions, with a focus on primary care.

This module runs in parallel with the third year module Clinical Practice and will provide you with the opportunity to refine your patient management skills. The module will cover a spectrum of more complex cases that may be seen in primary or secondary optometric practice. You'll use your communication, professional, clinical and ethical skills base to provide best practice in ocular assessment, diagnosis and patient management.

This module will build on the second-year material in Primary Ocular Health and Pharmacology to consider the changing requirements for optometric practice across the age range. You'll consider optometry practice for patients of all ages, including the development phases of vision, management of low vision, cataracts, hereditary ocular abnormalities and the consequences of ocular degeneration associated with ageing and other systemic diseases such as diabetes. Practical elements of this module will link closely with clinical practice sessions in Clinical Practice.

This module will highlight concepts and their application in three areas relevant to modern Optometric practice. 1. Research methods - you'll gain an insight into different commonly used research methodologies and statistical procedures relevant to optometry and the vision sciences. This will help you to critically evaluate ophthalmic literature or studies published when you go into the practice. 2. Public health - you'll gain knowledge in the field of public health and epidemiology relevant to optometry and ocular health conditions in order to apply a public health-oriented approach to manage reduced vision and blindness. 3. Practice management - you'll learn different principles of practice management such as strategic planning, practice marketing and managed care to support their transition to practising optometrists.

This module will build on the previous material taught in Primary Ocular Health and Ocular Pharmacology, Advanced Ocular Health and Professional Practice. You'll learn more about retinal pathologies and the glaucomas including identification, options, disease classification and management. Practical elements of this module will be taught in a one-day practical class and demonstration with a particular focus on tonometry, pachymetry, optic nerve head imaging and gonioscopy.

CLiP Part One will incorporate online learning content which you'll access through the College learning portal. This will be a mix of asynchronous interactive learning and synchronous content such as webinars and College-facilitated peer and expert-led discussions. You'll be in regular contact with your placement Supervisor, which could be one primary Supervisor or may be supported by additional Assistant Supervisors. Supervisors will support your progress, discuss work-based learning and the your learning log and reflective practice. The level of supervision will vary as you gain experience. It is anticipated that in the first third of the placement, you'll spend around 15 hours per week engaging in tasks which need direct supervision or discussing these interactions with a member of the supervisory team. The supervisory interactions will reduce during the second third of the placement (to 10 hours or fewer per week as more experience is gained) culminating in you engaging in tasks requiring 1 – 2 hours per week, which need direct supervision or discussing these interactions with a member of the supervisory team. In addition, you'll interact with Assessors through a programme of online activities and in-practice visits. These interactions will support you in engaging with the course and understanding the assessment expectations. You'll develop and discuss a mix of student-selected and unseen case studies with Assessors, as well as formulating concepts and direction for wider project work. Where you are not successful at any assessed element at the first attempt, this is to be treated as a formative learning experience in which the Assessor provides feedback.

This optometry clinical practice programme further develops your clinical testing and management skills under supervision in a clinical placement setting, typically a community optometry practice or hospital eye department. It ensures that you can work effectively and efficiently in the clinical environment, including addressing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) issues and delivering safe and effective testing, management and referral of patients.