Paediatric Optometry

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

This subject covers central issues within the field of paediatric optometry, with the aim of developing each student's capacity for highly evolved communication and co-management with other professionals involved in paediatric assessment and care. A range of areas will be covered, encompassing the developmental, visual, medical and educational issues relevant to paediatric optometry. Specific areas covered will include diseases and disorders such as amblyopia, comitant strabismus, ametropia, and disorders of refraction, accomodation and vergence.

The subject caters for optometrists with various levels of experience. Whilst some optometrists may have managed only a limited number of children since graduation, others may wish to broaden their expertise.

On completion of the subject students will:

• have a knowledge of the principal theories of childhood development, normal learning processes and visual development
• have a capacity for critical appraisal of literature relating to paediatric visual disorders
• have the ability to take a thorough paediatric history which encompasses the relevant developmental, visual, medical and educational issues
• be familiar with the explanatory models of the accommodative-vergence system, the genesis of ametropia, the disorders of refraction, accommodation and vergence, and the assessment and management of these disorders
• be familiar with the aetiology, clinical presentation and treatment of amblyopia, comitant strabismus and commonly presenting incomitant strabismus
• have a knowledge of the epidemiology of eye disease in children, the assessment techniques available for examining visual function of children of all ages and an understanding varied management concepts of paediatric vision disorders
• be familiar with the disorders of visual information processing, the means of their assessment and management, and have a balanced appreciation of the literature relating visual functioning and visual disorders to learning
• have a capacity for highly evolved communication and co-management with other professionals involved in paediatric assessment and care

A 1,000 word written assignment (10%) and two 2,500 word case reports (30%) submitted during the course of the semester; a 3- hour written examination in the examination period (60%).

Scheiman, M. and Rouse, M.W. Optometric Management of Learning-Related Vision Problems, 2nd Edition. Mosby Elsevier: St Louis, 2006

Students will be provided with a comprehensive study guide which will include a study directive for each topic, key journal articles, reading from prescribed textbooks and self-assessment questions. DVD recorded footage demonstrating stages in child development, as well as lectures on strabismus will be distributed to all students.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students should also learn several generic skills in this subject, including the ability to:

• evaluate and synthesise research literature and professional literature;
• appreciate the design, conduct, analysis and reporting of research;
• demonstrate advanced skills and techniques in a specialised area;
• develop improved communication skills with other professionals;
• articulate knowledge and understanding in written presentations;
• appreciate the ways in which advanced knowledge equips one to offer leadership in this specialist area.