Ocular Therapeutics A

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

The purpose of this subject is to provide candidates with a sound knowledge of bio-medical sciences in the context of understanding ocular anomalies and disorders and to be able to prescribe a range of drugs used in the management of eye diseases. The expectation of all candidates is that they have a working knowledge of the anatomy of the eye, orbit and adnexae and the overall level of knowledge is that of a candidate that has graduated from the University of Melbourne Bachelor of Optometry course (or equivalent) after January 1995. The topics include:

General pathology and immunology: The aim of this section is to outline the general principles of inflammation and wound healing, with particular reference to ocular tissues. In addition, candidates will understand the process of tissue damage secondary to traumatic or infectious insult, including the different aspects of the immune response.

Microbiology: By the end of this section, candidates will understand the basic principles of microbiology, with special reference to pathogenic micro-organisms implicated in ophthalmic diseases. Particular reference will be based upon the mode of action of ophthalmic medication and mode of microbial resistance.

Pharmacology: By the end of this section, candidates will be able to understand basic pharmacological concepts including the interaction of drugs with the body including routes of administration and metabolism. In addition, fundamental principles involving the action of drugs (pharmacodynamics), with special reference to drugs used in ophthalmic practice and their ocular and/or systemic toxicity.

Iritis and diseases of the Uvea: The aims of this section of the course are to provide an understanding of the types of uveitis, their systemic causes, the ordering of laboratory tests and the interpretation of their outcomes, the medical management of these conditions and the identification of those conditions that warrant referral.

Glaucoma: The aims of this section are to provide an understanding of the types of glaucoma, their pathophysiology, methods that can be used for its early detection, the medical or surgical management of these conditions, the identification of change that warrants an altered drug schedule or protocol, and the identification of change that warrants referral.

Disorders of the anterior eye: By the end of this section, candidates will understand the processes of anterior eye infection, inflammation, allergy response, toxic and traumatic conditions either applicable to or affecting the lids, adnexa, the conjunctiva, the cornea, the lacrimal apparatus and the sclera.

Management of cataract: By the end of this section, candidates will understand the clinical presentations of cataract, their pathogenesis, treatment options and issues related to the postoperative management of patients undergoing cataract surgery. Review of therapeutic agents used in the postoperative care of cataract patients will include discussion of typical medication regimens, potential side effects of commonly used preparations and the appropriate diagnosis and management of these.

Refractive surgery - postsurgical management: This section will review current refractive surgery techniques, detailing their risks, benefits and treatment ranges. Discussion of post surgical management of refractive surgery patients will focus on time courses for recovery and review, indicated testing and restrictions on activities during recovery. Potential intra operative and postoperative complications will be detailed, including typical presentations, their diagnosis and appropriate management. The therapeutic preparations commonly used in post surgical care of these patients will be discussed, along with typical medication regimens, potential side effects and the effective diagnosis and management of these. The importance of ongoing communication between the optometrist and the surgeon involved in care of the postoperative patient will be emphasised.

Co-ordinated patient management: This section will review the concept of shared (integrated) patient care, and the roles and responsibilities of those practitioners participating in shared care of a patient. Various models of shared care (involving optometrists, medical practitioners and other practitioners) will be discussed, including review of the professional, ethical and legal issues related to the shared care of surgical patients. The importance of formal systems of communication to optimise and streamline patient care will be emphasised, along with the importance of clearly defining the individual's responsibilities for patient care and follow up within a shared care arrangement.

Legal and administration: This section will review the legal and administrative requirements associated with the prescription and use of S4 Poisons by endorsed optometrists in the State of Victoria, as well as some of the professional and ethical issues relating to therapeutic patient care.

Successful completion of this subject will satisfy the didactic component required for optometrists to be certified through the Optometrists Registration Board of Victoria to be therapeutically qualified.

The following are recommended (rather than prescribed) as standard texts (earlier/later editions of these texts are also suitable):

Students whose undergraduate qualifications are more than 5-years old are strongly recommended to obtain the last two listed texts or Forrester.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.