Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences

OPTOM 442 A & B - Optometry for Special Populations

15 Points (7.5 + 7.5 points)

Semesters One and Two

Grafton

Current students can view the Digital Course Outline for this course.

Description

An advanced clinical course including consideration of visual disorders specific to children, adults with binocular vision abnormalities, or those with visual impairment including the older population.

Topics include:

Developmental aspects and assessment of infants/children
Investigation and management of binocular eye-movement disorders
Diagnosis and management of vision problems in visually impaired patients including electronic, optical and non-optical low vision appliances

Requisite

Restriction: OPTOM 341, 440, 441

To complete this course students must enrol in OPTOM 442 A and B.

Prerequisites: Part III of the BOptom programme – this prerequisite is specified within regulation 6 of the BOptom regulations

Course information

Learning outcomes

Binocular Vision

Use the principles of Differential Diagnosis to perform an advanced binocular vision analysis.
Diagnose, to classify, to determine the prognoses, and to recommend appropriate optometric therapy for the various binocular vision anomalies
Recommend and administer the appropriate visual training programs (orthoptics)
Diagnose and manage specific binocular anomalies

Paediatric Optometry

Diagnose and manage paediatric patients in an optometric setting
Describe appropriate methods of assessing visual function in infants and children
Diagnose and manage paediatric patients with amblyopia
Describe methods of assessing visual perception and visual motor integration and the concepts underlying behavioural optometry

Low Vision

Describe the causes, prevalence and impact of reduced vision
Recognise of the impact of visual impairment on individuals and society
Describe the examination techniques needed for patients with visual impairment
Describe the management of ocular diseases associated with visual impairment
Describe the principals and techniques associated with adaptive behaviour
Discuss recommended adaptive technologies for any given low vision patient
Illustrate how to prescribe, demonstrate and train patients on the use of low vision devices
Describe how to identify patients in need of advanced rehabilitative services

Assessment

Assessment Component	Category of assessment	Percent	Detail	Learning outcomes assessed
Binocular Vision Written Test	Coursework Test - Written	15%	Binocular Vision Written Test (Beginning of Semester Two) (50 mins)	This test assesses theory associated with the assessment and diagnosis of binocular vision disorders. (LO 1,2,3,4,7)
Low Vision Written Test	Coursework Test - Written	10%	Low Vision Written Test (End of Semester One) (50 mins)	This test assesses the theory of low vision examinations and management. (LO 9-16)
Practical Tests (Binocular Vision/Paediatrics)	Coursework Test - Practical or Clinical	15%	Binocular Vision Practical Test (30 minutes)	To demonstrate practical skills in core clinical skills associated with binocular vision and paediatrics (LO 2,3,5-8)
Lab Test (Low Vision)	Coursework Test - Practical or Clinical	10%	Low Vision Lab Test (30 minutes)	To demonstrate theoretical knowledge associated with low vision practical lab sessions. (LO 9-16)
Final Exam	Final Exam - Written	50%	Final Written Exam (3 hours) Binocular Vision/Paediatrics (30%) Low Vision (20%)	Final written examination assessing all components of the course. (LO 1-16)

Course Director

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