OPTOM 353A/B : Ocular Pathology

Medical and Health Sciences

2025 Semester One (1253) / Semester Two (1255) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Pathophysiology of the eye. Histopathology of eye disease. Pathology of orbit, lacrimal system, conjunctiva, cornea, uvea, lens and retina. Developmental anomalies of the eye.

Course Overview

The focus of the course OPTOM353 A/B Ocular Pathology is the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the more common eye diseases and conditions in both the anterior and posterior segments of the eye. Due to the extent of the course content, posterior segment conditions are covered in Semester 1 and Anterior segment conditions in Semester 2. The course consists of a series of lectures and related laboratory sessions. The laboratory sessions provide students the opportunity to apply knowledge gained in lectures to particular patient cases. This course builds on information on normal function (normal Anatomy and Physiology) provided in previous papers/years. Hence, students are expected to have an understanding of the normal anatomy and physiology of the ocular structures, including the embryological development of the eye.

Course Requirements

Restriction: OPTOM 251 To complete this course students must enrol in OPTOM 353 A and B

Course Contacts

Dr John Phillips
Dr Alyssa Lie

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Optometry

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Understand and describe the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the more common posterior and anterior segment eye diseases and conditions. (Capability 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8)
  2. Understand and describe the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the more common diseases and conditions of the ocular adnexae. (Capability 3, 4, 5 and 8)
  3. Describe the clinical characteristics of the more common eye diseases, including signs, symptoms, prevalence, prognoses and sequelae. (Capability 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8)
  4. Understand and appreciate the differences between the clinical appearance of diseased and normal ocular structures and tissues. (Capability 3, 4, 6 and 8)
  5. Describe and explain the mode of action of the most common therapies associated with selected eye diseases. (Capability 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8)
  6. Demonstrate the process of differential diagnosis in the identification of eye disease, based on the understanding and knowledge of the more common eye diseases. (Capability 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Tests 30% Individual Test
Case Studies & Quizzes 35% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 35% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Tests
Case Studies & Quizzes
Final Exam

Students must pass the coursework component as well as the exam, to pass the course.

Workload Expectations

This course is a 15 point course spread over 2 semesters. Students are expected to spend ~6 hours per week in work related to this course over the two semesters.

For this course, you can expect 33 hours of lectures, 8 hours of tutorials, 8 hours of labs, 40 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 60 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled labs to complete components of the course.

Lectures will be available as recordings. 

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable. 

Learning 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.

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.

 Appropriate changes were made in 2024. There are no further changes planned for 2025, based on 2024 student feedback.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations 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. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

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 05/11/2024 09:05 a.m.