655-461 Assessment of Ocular Disease

This subject is only available to BOptom students.

Optometry 655-321; 655-341; 655-028 or 655-328; 655-330 or 655-332; 655-351 or 655-359; and Microbiology 526-306.

Optometry 655-430, 655-441 and 655-451.

The purpose of this subject is to provide candidates with the theory and practical knowledge of the methods and techniques used in the assessment of eye diseases. There are two major objectives for this subject. Learning the use, administration and interpretation of biological tests or laboratory assays as they pertain to the eye and learning the methods for direct evaluation of ocular tissues and structures. The subject will detail five areas of assessment: ocular, functional, systemic, structural and neurological. Ocular assessment will consider binocular indirect methods, fundus lenses, gonioscopy and scleral indentation. Functional assessment will address visual field testing, electrodiagnostic methods and lacrimal system procedures. Systemic assessment will consider issues relevant to the eye and eye disorders such as, investigation of blood constituents (eg. glucose, FBC, ESR etc.) and blood flow assessment (blood pressure and flow patency). Structural assessment will examine medical imaging technologies (X-ray, CT-scan, MRI) especially as they relate to the eye and visual pathways. In addition, advanced methods for ocular evaluation such as scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, ocular coherence tomography and ultrasound will be described. The blood-retina barrier and methods for its evaluation will also be detailed and discussed. Neurological assessment will discuss pupil and cranial nerve investigation. It is expected that candidates become proficient in these techniques

Ongoing skills assessment throughout the semester (20%); a portfolio consisting of two pieces of written group work (1750 words each), one piece of individual written work (1750 words) and an individual written reflection on how learning in this subject will impact on clinical practice (500 words) due throughout the semester (30%); a 2-hour written examination in the examination period (50%). Satisfactory completion of all assessment components is necessary to pass the subject.

• Casser et al, Atlas of Primary Eyecare Procedures. 2nd Edition, 1997 (or later edition).