Orthoptics BMedSci

Core modules:

Clinical Orthoptics

This unit introduces the clinical testing techniques required to assess ocular alignment, binocular vision and ocular motility. Expertise is gained by demonstration and practice on normal subjects at the University. Clinical skills practice provides an opportunity to use these techniques and apply the findings to diagnose and form a management plan for concomitant. This subject also incorporates development of the interpersonal skills for clinical practice.

20 credits

Optics

To introduce the student to the principles of geometric and physical optics, with particular reference to the eye.

20 credits

Participation and Society

This module aims to introduce students to issues related to understanding persons as individuals, and as members of society. Content includes: theoretical models of disability; psychosocial impact of disability across the lifespan; concepts of self and identity; concepts of attitudes and their measurement; health beliefs and behaviours and the role of gender, socioeconomic and cultural factors in healthcare and education. Students will be encouraged to reflect on their own experiences, attitudes and interpersonal skills in the context of their impact on interactions with clients, their families and other professionals.

20 credits

Strabismus

To introduce the student to basic orthoptic concepts, with particular emphasis upon the investigation of normal Binocular Single Vision, the investigation diagnosis and management of concomitant stabismus and the diagnosis and management of heterophoria. This Unit concentrates on investigative techniques and interpretation of findingsleading to diagnsis and management plans.

20 credits

Anatomy and Physiology

This unit covers the basic anatomy and physiology of the human body. It provides an overview of how the normal body functions giving a basis for understanding what happens when something goes wrong.

10 credits

Ocular Anatomy, Physiology and Neuroscience

This unit gives detailed anatomy and physiology of structures and functions of the eye and brain. It provides the detail of the function of the eyes and their neural control. It introduces a number of common pathologies encountered in eye clinics.

10 credits

Core modules:

Introductory Pathology and Microbiology

To develop an understanding of:
- causes, mechanisms and effects of disease processes in general
- diseases affecting the eye and its function in particular
- medical microbiology and it's impact on health and safety
- infection control.

20 credits

Associated Professional Studies

The associated professional studies forms a compulsory part of the BMedSci (Hons) orthoptic degree. It is divided into two parts: Professional ethics taught in the Autumn semester and the organisational structure of the NHS and health policy in the UK in the Spring semester. Professional ethics provide awareness and discussion of medical ethics, law and appropriate professional behaviour as a health care professional including wider issues affecting clinical practice, research and appropriate use of social media. The organisational structure of the NHS and health policy in the UK introduces students to management structures and practices within the national health service and an appraisal of a screening service.

20 credits

Clinical Orthoptics

This unit introduces testing techniques related to incomitant strabismus and competence is achieved by demonstration and practising these skills at the University. The clinical placement element provides experience of testing incomitant deviations and further develops clinical skills and application of theoretical knowledge to the practice situation.

20 credits

Clinical Visual Optics

To develop an awareness of the clinical characteristics of refractive errors, and their effect on vision, and to use objective and subjective methods of refracting patients. This understanding is related to the clinical content of the course, in order to enhance the role of the orthoptist within a multi-disciplinary team.

20 credits

Electrodiagnosis

Principles of measurement and, in particular the principles behind recording electrophysiological signals from the visual system. Practical techniques of data collection with particular reference to EOG, ERG and VEP

20 credits

Strabismus and Ocular Motility

The strabismus and ocular motility unit will further the understanding of basic orthoptic concepts, binocular single vision, concomitant strabismus and heterophoria. Knowledge of the investigation, diagnosis and management of ocular motility defects and disorders of accommodation and convergence will be developed.

20 credits

Visual Optics

To develop an awareness of the clinical characteristics of refractive errors, and their effect on vision, and to use objective and subjective methods of refracting patients. To consider the nature of clour vision, low vision aids, illumination and the spectral sensitivity of the human eye. This understanding is related to the clinical content of the course, in order to enhance the role of the orthoptist within a multi-disciplinary team.

20 credits

Core modules:

Clinical Orthoptics

To consolidate application of theoretical knowledge to clinical situations and further improve clinical skills in all aspects of orthoptic work. To improve reflective skills and understand the value of evidence based practice.

20 credits

Ophthalmology

To develop awareness of the clinical characteristics and management of ophthalmic disorders and general ophthalmic conditions. Students are taught with investigative procedures and instrumental techniques and practice given on each other and on patients in clinic.

20 credits

Paediatric Neurology

To develop an awareness of developmental disorders and birth disorders and their effects.

20 credits

Pathology

To build and expand previous knowledge on disease processes, focussing on specific eye conditions with a more in depth understanding of their development treatment and outcome.

20 credits

Research Project

To convert a hypothesis in to an experimental design based on a thorough literature review. Write this as an Experimental Protocol. Submission of proposed experiment to Ethics. Conduct an experiment that is a valid test of a hypothesis. Conduct a well-controlled experiment. Tabulate and graph the data using appropriate descriptive statistics and graphical means. Analyze the data with the appropriate statistical tests to check whether the experimental hypothesis is supported. To write up the experiment in a clear manner such that it could be replicated and be understood by reasonably informed reader. Students also give a presentation of their research to their peers in the December of year 3.

20 credits

Strabismus and Ocular Motility

The strabismus and ocular motility unit will deepen the understanding of binocular single vision, strabismus and ocular motility defects, with specific emphasis on more complex ocular motility disorders. Knowledge of the investigation, diagnosis and management of these disorders will be further developed with insight into current research.

20 credits

Sale, Supply and Administration of Medicinal Products

This new subject area will facilitate practice in the area of prescription only and non-prescription exemption listed medicines for Orthoptists, by enhancing knowledge of the pharmacokinetics and actions of these specific medicines. It will advance learning and understanding of the different non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches to modifying disease and inform students of the potential for adverse effects and how to minimise them. Students will be enabled to apply the principles of evidence-based practice including clinical and cost-effectiveness. These areas of knowledge and understanding will enable graduates to be annotated on the register with the Health and Care Professionals Council, to use exemptions to sell, supply and administer specific listed medicines for any condition within their scope of practice.