Functional Disorders of Vision

Subject OPTO30004 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 25
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Year Long, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

Lectures and practical work.

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 72 lectures (three per week), 144 hours of practical work (six hours per week through the year) which includes rostered clinical practice in the last eight weeks of Semester 2
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites:

Successful completion of all second year level Bachelor of Optometry subjects.

Corequisites: All of
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study and reasonable steps will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the University’s programs.

This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory activities.

Students who feel their disability may impact upon their active and safe participation in a subject are encouraged to discuss this with the relevant subject coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

Coordinator

Ms Alexandra Jaworski, Prof Neville Mcbrien

Contact

Email: aaja@unimelb.edu.au

Email: nmcbrien@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject gives a detailed account of the nature, origins, course, treatment and prognosis of the congenital and developmental disorders of vision and provides training in the clinical optometric procedures for the examination of the eyes and for the treatment of visual disorders. Topics include refractive anomalies of the eye including explanations of the origin and development of refractive errors and methods of refraction; anomalies of accommodation including presbyopia; the anomalies of ocular motility and binocular vision including their clinical assessment and treatment; disorders of the light sense; and strategies of problem solving, history taking and case assessment. There is a series of lectures on the disorders of higher visual function and a series of lectures on clinical assessment of colour vision disorders which are given in Semester 2. Practical sessions introduce students to the methods for determination of refraction, assessment and treatment of disorders of ocular motility and binocular coordination, and the detection of ocular disease. Students are required to complete weekly assignments to develop their clinical skills. In the latter part of semester 2, students undertake clinical practice and the examination of patients.

Objectives: On completion of the subject students should be able to investigate patients' visual problems, make a diagnosis and plan an appropriate course of management.
Assessment:

A 3-hour written examination in the first semester examination period (40%); a 3-hour written examination in the second semester examination period (40%); clinical practice assignments during second semester (20%). Satisfactory completion of the clinical practice assessment is necessary to pass the subject.

Hurdle Requirements: A 1-hour practical examination in clinical methods is held at the end of each semester. Students must pass the first semester practical examination before proceeding to second semester.

Prescribed Texts:
  • M Scheiman and B Wick, Clinical Management of Binocular Vision, Philadelphia Lippincott, 1994
  • D B Elliot, Clinical Procedures of Primary Eye Care 3rd Ed, Butterworth Heinemann, 2007
Recommended Texts:
  • A G Bennett and R B Rabbetts, Clinical Visual Optics 3rd Ed. Butterworths, 1998
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Notes:

This subject is only available to Bachelor of Optometry students.

Special requirements: Students should have an approved direct ophthalmoscope and retinoscope, gonioprism, binocular indirect ophthalmoscope, two fundus lenses, epilation forceps, two white coats, pre-focused pen torch or transilluminator, inter-pupillary rule, a set of optical screwdrivers, cover paddle, phoria card and a set of four flippers (lenses and prisms). Students are strongly advised to purchase their own equipment which they will continue to use in 4th and 5th year and after graduation. However, those students who do not have their own equipment will be able to borrow equipment for classes. Students are required to conform to prescribed dress and conduct requirements when assigned to all clinical duties with patients.

Related Course(s): Bachelor of Optometry

Download PDF version.