OPTOM 450A/B : Diseases of the Eye and Visual System: Diagnosis and Management

Medical and Health Sciences

2021 Semester One (1213) / Semester Two (1215) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Signs, symptoms and diagnosis of diseases of the eye, ocular adnexa and visual system, including neurological dysfunction and signs of systemic disease. Management of diseases of eye, ocular adnexa and visual system, including the use of therapeutic agents. Indications, contraindications and side effects of therapeutic agents for the treatment of ocular disease.

Course Overview

The aim of this course is to develop the student’s ability to detect, diagnose and manage eye diseases and anomalies based on clinical presentation and the results of properly employed investigative techniques. The course will stress evidence-based management of diseases of the eye and visual system, including the use of medications within the scope of practice of a therapeutically-endorsed optometrist in NZ and/or Australia. The course will also introduce students to ophthalmological surgical procedures used in the treatment of ocular diseases as an aid for accurate referral.

Course Requirements

Restriction: OPTOM 351, 352, 355 To complete this course students must enrol in OPTOM 450 A and B

Course Contacts

Course Director and Coordinator: Andrew Collins (a.collins@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 5: Independence and Integrity
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. Develop an appropriate differential diagnosis for common and selected diseases, injuries and anomalies of the eye and visual system. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1 and 3.1)
  2. Synthesise evidence-based management strategies for common and selected diseases, injuries and anomalies of the eye and visual system. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1 and 3.1)
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of the range of medications available to therapeutically-qualified optometrists in NZ and Australia, including formulation and dosage. (Capability 1.1, 1.3, 2.1 and 6.1)
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of the contraindications and side-effects of medications available to, and commonly prescribed by, therapeutically-qualified optometrists in NZ and Australia. (Capability 1.1, 1.3, 2.1 and 6.1)
  5. Recognise when referral to another health care professional within an appropriate time frame is indicated. (Capability 1.1, 1.3, 2.1, 4.2, 5.1 and 6.1)
  6. Demonstrate the ability to provide advanced ocular health management procedures. (Capability 1.1, 1.3 and 3.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination
Written Test (S1) 10% Individual Test
Written Test (S2) 10% Individual Test
PBL Presentation (S1) 5% Group Coursework
PBL Presentation (S2) 5% Group Coursework
Assignment (S1) 10% Individual Coursework
Assignment (s2) 10% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Final Exam
Written Test (S1)
Written Test (S2)
PBL Presentation (S1)
PBL Presentation (S2)
Assignment (S1)
Assignment (s2)

The course Canvas page has detailed information on assessment processes and minimum pass mark or must complete activity requirements.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 30 point course (over two semesters) and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect up to 4 hours of lectures, a 1 hour seminar/tutorial and a 2 hour laboratory session every second week, and 2-3 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 2-3 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation per week.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including labs and PBL 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 include live online events including tutorials.
Attendance on campus is required for the tests and exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

The course Canvas page has detailed information on learning resources and reading lists.

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.

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 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 30/11/2020 05:16 p.m.