Specialist Certificate in Anterior and Dry Eye Disorders (SC-ADED)

Overview

Award title	Specialist Certificate in Anterior and Dry Eye Disorders
Year & campus	2025
Fees information	Subject EFTSL, level, discipline and census date
Study level & type	Graduate Coursework
AQF level	Non-AQF
Credit points	25 credit points
Duration	6 months part-time

THIS COURSE IS NOT TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR 2025.

The Specialist Certificate in Anterior and Dry Eye Disorders offered by the Department of Optometry & Vision Sciences in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences will allow optometrists to advance their clinical capabilities in the day-to-day management of eye disease by affording them the opportunity to review the most current theories on the pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of anterior eye disease, including dry eye. The subject will provide optometrists with the tools necessary to develop a deeper, evidence-based understanding of anterior eye disease, including dry eye, thus empowering them to improve their clinical skills.

Links to further information

https://study.unimelb.edu.au/find/courses/graduate/specialist-certificate-in-anterior-and-dry-eye-disorders/

Entry requirements

In order to be considered for entry, applications must have completed:

a four-year undergraduate degree in Optometry, or equivalent or;
professional experience deemed by the Selection Committee to be equivalent to a four-year Australian degree in Optometry

Meeting this requirement does not guarantee selection

In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

prior academic performance; and, if relevant
any documented relevant professional experience.

The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instructions.

Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for postgraduate courses. For those applications seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this course the students should have:

advanced knowledge and skills in their selected fields of clinical optometry;
a detailed knowledge in the use and application of specific advanced diagnostic techniques and/or instrumentation;
an advanced ability to evaluate and synthesize research from the scientific and clinical literature;
an appreciation of the value of, and the ability to achieve, collaboration with other healthcare professionals as an effective means to aid clinical problem-solving;
the capacity to interpret and integrate information from a variety of sources (such as patient presentation details, advanced diagnostic techniques, scientific, clinical and technical literature, and other healthcare professionals), in the development of the most appropriate patient management;
the ability and initiative to offer enhanced clinical services based on their in-depth study in selected fields of clinical optometry;
have advanced their clinical skills and developed a flexibility of outlook such that they are better able to respond to future paradigm shifts in the scope of optometric management.

Generic skills

On completion of this course the students should have:

critical thinking, analytical and problem solving skills
the ability to integrate theory and practice and to apply this in complex situations
an openness to new ideas
planning and time management skills
the ability to communicate complex clinical cases in both oral and written form

Graduate attributes

The Melbourne Experience enables our graduates to become:

Academically excellent:
- have a strong sense of intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship
- have in-depth knowledge of their specialist discipline(s)
- reach a high level of achievement in writing, generic research activities, problem-solving and communication
- be critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning
- be adept at learning in a range of ways, including through information and communication technologies
Knowledgeable across disciplines:
- examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a broad range of disciplines
- expand their analytical and cognitive skills through learning experiences in diverse subjects
- have the capacity to participate fully in collaborative learning and to confront unfamiliar problems
- have a set of flexible and transferable skills for different types of employment
Leaders in communities:
- initiate and implement constructive change in their communities, including professions and workplaces
- have excellent interpersonal and decision-making skills, including an awareness of personal strengths and limitations
- mentor future generations of learners
- engage in meaningful public discourse, with a profound awareness of community needs
Attuned to cultural diversity:
- value different cultures
- be well-informed citizens able to contribute to their communities wherever they choose to live and work
- have an understanding of the social and cultural diversity in our community
- respect indigenous knowledge, cultures and values
Active global citizens:
- accept social and civic responsibilities
- be advocates for improving the sustainability of the environment
- have a broad global understanding, with a high regard for human rights, equity and ethics

Course structure

All students must complete one core subject;

OPTO90006 Anterior Eye Disease and Dry Eye (formerly Management of Anterior Eye Disease) - 25 credit points

Subject options

Core subject

Code	Name	Study period	Credit Points
OPTO90006	Anterior Eye Disease and Dry Eye	Not available in 2025	25

Further study

Students who have completed this course may be awarded 25 credit points of advanced standing towards the Master of Clinical Optometry.

Last updated: 27 February 2025