Clinical Optometry

You develop knowledge of human anatomy and its underlying physiology and relate this to the pathophysiology of disease. This will be pertinent in the coming years as you learn about the risk factors for different ocular pathologies.

You gain the knowledge required to select, perform, and interpret individual optometric tests to work towards developing a routine eye examination. The concept of professionalism, ethical, safe practice and multidisciplinary team working will also be introduced, together with effective communication skills.

You focus on the anatomy and physiology of the eye and adnexa in preparation for understanding ocular pathology in the second year.

You cover the fundamental principles of the nature of light and the laws that govern its propagation, and gain an understanding of the principles of lenses and other optical instruments. Practical lab sessions introduce you to use equipment to demonstrate the different laws of light.

This module provides you with the tools you will need to dispense and fit glasses. You learn how to select and measure a pair of glasses based on conversations with the patient and optical parameters. Where indicated, by dispensing glasses you will use the prescription provided from the sight test to give your patients the opportunity to see more clearly.

You explore the concepts of visual processing and perception, with emphasis on the scientific methods used, and gain an understanding of the physiological basis of visual function testing.

You focus on recognising and understanding common abnormal ocular conditions through differentiating the abnormal from the normal eye, and the causes, consequences, and referral processes required for their management.

Advanced neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and sensorimotor processing of the visual system are studied in this module. You also gain an understanding of different binocular vision abnormalities and their managements. Practical lab sessions enable you to practice and develop your skills.

You learn the underlying theory of contact lenses which includes an overview of the physical properties, lens design and lens manufacturing methods, and cover the techniques and examinations required to perform contact lens fitting and aftercare routines.

You explore the knowledge and skills required to select, perform, and interpret the outcomes from a wide range of advanced clinical techniques. These techniques allow you to investigate your patient's ocular health, which provide results that should allow you to manage and diagnose any ocular abnormalities.

A practical module focussing on the equipment and procedures required for a routine eye examination. You learn more about professional awareness and the effective communication skills required to assess visual function and refraction. Advanced dispensing scenarios are discussed and patient management is developed.

You gain the knowledge and clinical skills necessary to use ophthalmic drugs safely and effectively. You will cover the principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and learn about different drugs groups, their actions, contraindications for use, how to manage and document adverse drug reactions. This module will be delivered online.

Following on from your Year 2 module, you learn to recognise more advanced abnormal ocular conditions by differentiating from the ‘normal' eye. This includes the knowledge of the causes, epidemiology, signs and symptoms, and management of these conditions, including referral. Keynote lectures from visiting clinicians discussing case studies of different ocular conditions give you an authentic and contemporary insight into real life issues.

Developing on the knowledge and skills acquired in the Year 2 module you gain the underpinning clinical reasoning skills and the communication skills necessary to fit more complex forms of contact lenses, as well as develop an understanding of emerging contact lens practice. You examine contact lens patients in the Onsite Optometry Suite to gain your GOC Stage 1 patient episodes.

This individual, final project is your opportunity to select an innovation in clinical practice, which can be explored and theoretically implemented into optometric practice. This will be within the context of the evolving optometrists' role and based upon evaluation of current evidence regarding a focused, student-determined area of practice. You demonstrate an understanding of clinical research, skills in critical thinking, clinical governance, audit, leadership theory and change theory.

Project areas should focus on the benefits, both in terms of public health and commercial terms, of the evolving and expanding role of optometry, both nationally and internationally in primary healthcare provision. This must be negotiated with your academic University supervisor.

You gain an understanding of the everchanging role of the optometrist, which includes examining occupational health, legal aspects of practice, key drivers, technology enhancements, and some basic business skills.

This module continues to assess your ability to complete a routine eye examination, and demonstrate critical clinical decision-making to complete a holistic, individual ocular management plan. A logbook will provide the evidence required to be assessed for your GOC Stage 1 Core Competencies and record patient episodes achieved during this module.