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Clinical Optometry Practice (OPTO90026)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 100On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Year Long
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Note: This subject is only available to students enrolled in the Doctor of Optometry.

In this subject, students will continue to integrate their knowledge of clinical vision sciences into an understanding of the diagnosis and management of ocular and visual system disease and will refine their clinical diagnostic skills. They will complete study in the areas of anterior and posterior eye disease, contact lenses, paediatrics, neurological disorders and low vision. Students will also study professional practice, including the role of optometry in the health care system and the community, the role of government and professional bodies, visual standards, communication, and ethical and cultural considerations in optometry. Throughout this subject, students will be required to demonstrate a high standard in clinical techniques and their capacity to apply these methods to the examination and management of patients. Additionally, students will work in small groups and as individuals to explore the evidence-based management of clinical cases.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • describe the mechanisms and associated manifestations of ocular and visual system diseases and disorders, and apply this knowledge to patient care;
  • competently construct and conduct a complete and targeted clinical examination;
  • develop and justify an appropriate management plan use evidence-based practice, considering the best available research evidence, clinical expertise, the individual patient and the practice context;
  • demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral, to establish and maintain professional relationships with patients, professional colleagues and the general public;
  • describe the moral, ethical and legal responsibilities of professional conduct, and apply them in clinical practice;
  • articulate the role of optometry in the health care system and the community, including eye safety and vision standards;
  • demonstrate culturally safe approaches, informed by critical reflection, to build trust and relationships with patients from diverse backgrounds (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples);
  • explain and apply the safe and effective use of therapeutic medications; and
  • manage patients in a broad range of sub-areas, including: anterior and posterior eye disease, binocular vision, contact lenses, paediatrics, low vision and neurological disorders.

Generic skills

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to new problems;
  • communicate clearly in written and oral forms;
  • integrate knowledge from different domains;
  • work as part of a team to address a common goal;
  • appreciate the design, conduct and reporting of original research;
  • manage competing demands on time, including self-directed project work;
  • show a respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of scholarship;
  • value the collection and recording of accurate and complete data;
  • keep up to date and critically evaluate the latest innovations;
  • treat people with dignity, integrity, respect and compassion;
  • reflect upon and identify deficiencies in their knowledge and develop strategies to address those deficiencies.
  • accept responsibility for one's actions; and

Last updated: 31 January 2024

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

All of

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
OPTO90023 Applied Clinical Training
Year Long (On Campus - Parkville)
 75
OPTO90025 Research Studies in Vision and Optometry
Year Long (On Campus - Parkville)
 25

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 31 January 2024

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Two 3-hour written examinations

  • 6 hours
Semester 1 examination period 40%

Two 3-hour written examinations

  • 6 hours
Semester 2 examination period 40%

Clinical performance

Throughout the teaching period20%
Hurdle requirement: Satisfactory performance in competency assessments, typically stream-specific written examinations, clinical proficiency examinations and oral/written case reports.Throughout the teaching periodN/A
Hurdle requirement: 100% attendance at preclinical duties and clinical placements.Throughout the teaching periodN/A

Last updated: 31 January 2024

Dates & times

  • Year Long
    Principal coordinatorAnthea Cochrane
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hoursSem 1: Six hours of lectures per week; Twelve hours of clinical work per week; Four hours of tutorials/seminars per week; Four hours per week of reflective analysis and computer-assisted learning/assessment. Sem 2: Five hours of lectures per week; Twelve hours of clinical work per week; Four hours of tutorials/seminars per week; Four hours per week of reflective analysis and computer-assisted learning/assessment; plus attendance at the Doctor of Optometry Student Conference
    Total time commitment1,560 hours
    Teaching period 1 February 2024 to 20 October 2024
    Last self-enrol date 8 March 2024
    Census date31 May 2024
    Last date to withdraw without fail20 September 2024
    Assessment period ends15 November 2024

    Year Long contact information

    antheac@unimelb.edu.au

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
    - Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Last updated: 31 January 2024

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    A reading list will be provided

    Recommended texts and other resources

    As per the prescribed texts for the subjects: Preclinical Optometry; Applied Clinical Training; plus:

    Duckman, R.H. (2006) Visual Development, Diagnosis, and Treatment of the Pediatric Patient. Pub. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
    Jackson J & Wolffsohn J (Eds) (2006). Low Vision Manual. 1st Edition. Pub. Butterworth-Heinemann.

  • Related Handbook entries

    This subject contributes to the following:

    TypeName
    CourseDoctor of Optometry

Last updated: 31 January 2024