Functional Disorders of Vision

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

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

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.

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.

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.

• 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

• A G Bennett and R B Rabbetts, Clinical Visual Optics 3rd Ed. Butterworths, 1998

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

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.