OPTOM 316A/B : Optometry
Medical and Health Sciences
2020 Semester One (1203) / Semester Two (1205) (60 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
The primary objectives of this clinically-focused Part III BOptom course are to develop the skills and understanding of both the clinical and theoretical aspects of the standard optometric examination in an integrated manner. On completion of this course, the students will be able to conduct a technically-competent optometric examination and provide appropriate management options for the correction of refractive error with ophthalmic appliances. On completion, students will also have further developed their understanding of the ethical and cultural aspects of the optometric examination.
The teaching approach includes large class lectures with clear lecture objectives, self-directed experiential learning in the laboratory sessions, and active learning sessions within lectures and via Canvas.
Students should be working at the level of applying and analysing information in Bloom's taxonomy, and at the relational level in SOLO taxonomy. Reflection on both clinical skill development and personal development is encouraged with the use of Gibb's Reflective Learning Cycle. The students further develop their portfolio, started in Part II, as they engage in life-long learning in relation to the profession of optometry.
Course Requirements
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 5: | Independence and Integrity |
| Capability 6: | Social and Environmental Responsibilities |
Learning Outcomes
- Describe the principles of and perform a complete refractive examination on an adult patient using appropriate techniques (Capability 1.1, 3.1 and 4.1)
- Explain and apply optical theory to the measurement and correction of refractive error with ophthalmic lenses, to the design of ophthalmic lenses, and to the principles of optical instruments (Capability 1.2, 2.1 and 3.1)
- Select and dispense appropriate ophthalmic appliances based on case information and understanding of optical theory (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1 and 3.1)
- Describe and accurately assess and record oculomotor and binocular functions (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 3.1 and 4.1)
- Examine the ocular health of the eye using appropriate techniques and equipment and accurately record both normal and abnormal results, and describe and discuss the principles, strengths, and limitations of each technique. (Capability 1.1, 2.1 and 3.1)
- Describe and demonstrate appropriate techniques for assessing sensory visual function including visual fields, colour vision, and pupil function including recording results for each of these tests accurately using correct notation (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.2, 3.1 and 4.1)
- Perform a satisfactory case history, correlate the expected results between different optometric measures taken within the examination, and communicate the results of the examination to the patient (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 6.2)
- Engage appropriately with different cultures in a culturally-safe manner, recognising differing levels of patient knowledge and understanding to ensure effective communication (Capability 4.1, 6.1 and 6.2)
- Apply appropriate frameworks for reaching ethical decisions in optometric practice and provide a rational justification for solving ethical dilemmas (Capability 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.3 and 6.1)
- Reflect critically on both personal and clinical development in a professional course (Capability 5.2)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Practical | 15% | Individual Coursework |
| Portfolio | 25% | Individual Coursework |
| Test | 20% | Individual Test |
| Final Exam | 40% | Individual Examination |
| 4 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| Practical | ||||||||||
| Portfolio | ||||||||||
| Test | ||||||||||
| Final Exam | ||||||||||
Learning Resources
Course Contacts
Workload Expectations
This course is a 60 point double semester course. Students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in, therefore you should expect to spend 20 hours per week on this course.
For this course, you can expect 4 hours of lectures, 7-8 hours of laboratories and tutorials, 4-5 hours of reading and thinking about the content, and 4 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation per week.
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.
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 at 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.
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.
- They felt that the alignment of the lab course and the lectures was excellent and the labs consolidated the theory from the lectures
- They appreciated the feedback on assessments
- They valued the active learning in lectures
- They would like more feedback on their learning
- They would like a demonstration at the beginning of the lab sessions
- They felt that some of the powerpoint presentations could be improved
- They felt that the e-Portfolio needed re-working
- We will continue the feedback on assessment, and aim to deliver the feedback sooner to make it more applicable.
- We have considered including demonstrations at the beginning of the lab but the time that they would take would detract too much from the time you would then have to do the procedures yourselves. We will emphasise the need to come to the lab prepared, having revised the theory, read the lab manual, and self-identified questions.
- We will go over the lecture presentations to identify areas of improvement that could be made.
- We will modify the e-Portfolio to give greater weighting to each assignment. We will give greater direction on reflection early in the course. The first assignment will have an alternative case to reflection on.
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.