655-330 Functional Disorders of Vision

Note

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Optometry 655-101, 655-210, 655-222

Corequisites

Optometry 655-340, 655-351, 655-352

Special requirements: Students should have an approved direct ophthalmoscope and retinoscope, gonioprism, binocular indirect ophthalmoscope, two fundus lenses epilation forceps, two white coats, pre-focused pen torch or transilluminator, inter-pupillary rule, a set of optical screwdrivers, cover paddle, phoria card and a set of four flippers. Students are strongly advised to purchase their own equipment which they will continue to use in fourth year and after graduation. However, those students who do not have their own equipment will be able to borrow equipment for classes. Students are required to conform to the dress and conduct requirements of the Board of Management of the Clinic of the Victorian College of Optometry when assigned to the clinic.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

This subject gives a detailed account of the nature, origins, course, treatment and prognosis of the congenital and developmental disorders of vision and provides training in the optometric procedures for the examination of the eyes and for the treatment of visual disorders. On completion of the subject students will be able to investigate patients' visual problems, make a diagnosis and plan an appropriate course of management. Topics include refractive anomalies of the eye including explanations of the origin and development of refractive errors and methods of refraction; anomalies of accommodation including presbyopia; the anomalies of ocular motility and binocular vision including their clinical assessment and treatment; disorders of the light sense; strategies of problem solving, history taking and case assessment. A series of lectures in Semester 2 is devoted to scientific method in the clinical sciences. Practical sessions introduce students to the methods of determination of refraction, assessment and treatment of disorders of ocular motility and binocular coordination, and the detection of ocular disease. Students are required to complete weekly assignments to develop their clinical skills. In the last eight weeks of Semester 2, students undertake clinical practice and the examination of patients in the clinic.

Assessment

A 3-hour written paper at the end of Semester 1 and a 3-hour written paper at the end of Semester 2. A 75-minute practical examination in clinical methods is held at the end of Semester 1 which must be passed in order to proceed with clinical practice in Semester 2. A 1-hour practical examination in advanced clinical methods is held at the end of Semester 2 which must be completed satisfactorily in order to pass the subject. Students must also achieve a satisfactory standard in clinical practice to pass the subject. Reports on clinical methods assignments contribute 15% to the final mark.

Prescribed Texts

• A G Bennett and R B Rabbetts, Clinical Visual Optics. 3rd ed., Butterworths, 1998.
• M Scheiman and B Wick, Clinical Management of Binocular Vision. Philadelphia Lippincott, 1994.
• K Zadnik, The Ocular Examination, Measurements and Findings. W B Saunders, 1997.