OPTOM 216A/B : Introduction to Optometry

Medical and Health Sciences

2021 Semester One (1213) / Semester Two (1215) (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. Lectures are often multi-part, initially covering the background and theory, then the clinical implementation and technique. To assist with learning, there are group problem-based learning tutorials targeting newly acquired knowledge, as well as online quizzes. 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, 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, as subsequent courses in the Optometry program build upon the knowledge taught in this course. 

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

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Optometry

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Describe the optical principles used to collect clinically-relevant data on the structure and function of the eye. (Capability 1.2)
  2. Describe and demonstrate appropriate techniques for assessing sensory visual function. (Capability 1.2, 1.3, 2.2 and 4.1)
  3. Understand and perform objective refraction techniques. (Capability 1.2, 2.2 and 3.1)
  4. Perform a satisfactory case history to form a differential diagnosis, utilising patient-clinician communication principles. (Capability 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 6.1 and 6.2)
  5. Recognise , measure, and record abnormalities of oculomotor and binocular function. (Capability 1.2, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1 and 6.1)
  6. Understand the principal mechanisms of medical image modalities, the advantages and limitations of each method, and the importance of multi-modal imaging. (Capability 1.2, 2.1 and 3.1)
  7. Describe and explain the legislative framework, and the ethical and cultural considerations for practicing Optometry in NZ and Australia. (Capability 4.1, 6.1 and 6.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination
Test 20% Individual Test
Laboratories 20% Individual Coursework
Presentation 10% Group Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Final Exam
Test
Laboratories
Presentation
Students must pass the Laboratory (practical) component of the course in addition to getting a pass mark overall. 

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, assessments, and the exam. 

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including 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.
Attendance on campus is required for the tests and exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

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.

There was a general request for more feedback from assessments. In response, there will be increased tutorials where we can discuss feedback, with additional individualised feedback provided for the online assessments. 

Digital 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 is a virtual patient in development, which will enable you to practice some clinical skills outside of the pre-clinical teaching lab. There will be more information provided in the first few lectures in Semester 1. 

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 against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

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 your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

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 you may be asked to submit your 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. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 01/12/2020 04:24 p.m.