https://courseoutline.auckland.ac.nz/dco/course/OPTOM/216A/1243

OPTOM 216A/B : Introduction to Optometry

Medical and Health Sciences

2024 Semester One (1243) / Semester Two (1245) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

A clinically-focused course introducing students to optometric practice and addressing, at an introductory level, the ethical, cultural, theoretical and clinical aspects of the optometric examination. Topics covered include: preliminary tests from the eye examination, communication skills and clinical problem solving. The course will emphasise assessment utilising advanced equipment and the production of clinically relevant outcomes and diagnosis-supportive hypotheses.

Course Overview

The OPTOM216 course content introduces common optometric concepts, clinical techniques, and ophthalmic imaging modalities. It gives a solid foundation that can be built upon in later parts of the Optometry programme. 

Lectures are often multi-part, initially covering the background and theory, and then the clinical implementation and technique. To assist with learning, there are group problem-based learning tutorials targeting newly acquired knowledge, online quizzes, and interactive polling during lectures. Most of the clinical techniques taught in lectures are followed by hands-on learning in the pre-clinical laboratory. These techniques include visual acuity, binocular vision, neurological assessment, assessment of accommodation, visual fields, retinoscopy, slit lamp biomicroscopy, and direct ophthalmoscopy. A comprehensive lab manual and online tools are provided so that practical skills can be studied outside of the scheduled hours.

Students of OPTOM216 are required to attend all laboratories, and attendance at lectures and tutorials are highly recommended due to their interactive nature which is best experienced live. 

Course Requirements

To complete this course students must enrol in OPTOM 216 A and B

Course Contacts

Course Director and Coordinator: 
  • Dr Philip Turnbull, p.turnbull@auckland.ac.nz
Course and Lab Coordinator: 
  • Zaria Bradley, z.burden@auckland.ac.nz

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Optometry

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Describe and demonstrate appropriate techniques for assessing visual function. (Capability 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6)
  2. Describe and apply the optical principles used to collect clinically-relevant data on the structure and function of the eye. (Capability 3)
  3. Understand and perform objective refraction techniques (Capability 3 and 5)
  4. Understand and apply patient-clinician communication principles to obtain a case history. (Capability 6 and 8)
  5. Understand, recognise and explain abnormalities of neurological, oculomotor, and binocular function. (Capability 3, 4, 5 and 6)
  6. Understand and explain the principal mechanisms of medical image modalities, the advantages and limitations of each method, and the importance of multi-modal imaging in optometry. (Capability 3, 4 and 5)
  7. Describe and explain the legislative framework, and the ethical and cultural considerations for practicing Optometry in NZ and Australia. (Capability 1, 2, 6 and 8)
  8. Demonstrate an ability to collaborate with peers to make evidence based decisions through problem based learning (Capability 6 and 7)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Final Exam 40% Individual Examination
Test 20% Individual Test
Laboratories 30% Individual Coursework
Presentation 10% Group Coursework
4 types 100%
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Final Exam
Test
Laboratories
Presentation

Workload Expectations

Following University guidelines, a 30 point course represents about 300 hours of study.

During a typical teaching week there will be 3 hours of lectures, 1 hour of tutorials, and 2 hours of labs. For the 24 teaching weeks over both semesters, this totals to 144 hours. Since the course as a whole represents approximately 300 hours of study, that leaves a total of 156 hours across both semesters for independent study, e.g. reading, preparing for labs, group presentations, assessments, and the exam.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including lectures, labs, and tutorials to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials and labs will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events including, but online collaboration tools may be used.
Attendance on campus is required for the labs, tests, and exams.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

There are two recommended textbooks for this course, both of which are available (for free) as an e-book through the library.

  • Clinical procedures in primary eye care by David B. Elliott.
  • Optical devices in ophthalmology and optometry : technology, design principles and clinical applications by Michael Kaschke, Karl-Heinz Donnerhacke, Michael Stefan Rill, and Simone Benjamin.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

This course is generally well received by students, and they particularly enjoy the interactive quizzes and tutorials. While we include a lot already, these will be further increased this year. 

Limited lab time always presents a challenge to students - there is a lot to learn and limited on-campus lab time available to practice. However, efforts are being made to enable off-campus practice of some key clinical concepts using a Virtual Patient. The available tests are constantly being expanded, and this will help the student develop their skills in practical skills and knowledge without requiring additional lab time. We will also make the lab manuals more concise, so there is less reading and therefore more time to practice their skills in the lab. We will also ensure that all lab teaching staff are briefed to ensure they give consistent feedback about clinical techniques. 

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.