MSc Investigative Ophthalmology and Vision Science / Course details

The unit aims to provide ophthalmic professionals with the science underpinning modern contact lens practice. Specifically, the unit will allow students to:

• acquire new information in the field of contract lenses and related corneal physiology
• critically evaluate the relevant literature
• develop articulate verbal and written communication skills around the relevant clinical science.

• To understand the key attributes of clinical studies in the area.
• To understand the benefits of examining the ocular surface with a clinical confocal microscope.
• To appreciate the various optical aberrations of the eye and their clinical significance.
• To learn about the various solutions which are used with contact lenses, their relative merits and the clinical issues which might arise with their use.
• To understand the materials from which contact lenses are manufacturered and the clinical benefits of each.
• To appreciate the clinical relevance of the oxygen supply through contact lenses and how laboratory measures can be applied in vivo.
• To learn about keratoconus and its management with contact lenses.
• To understand the inflammatory response of the ocular surface to contact lens wear and how it can be managed.  

This unit uses a range of different teaching methods including lectures, seminars and self-directed learning. The unit will be delivered online using Zoom or a similar platform. 

It is recognised that there are two distinct groups of students on this unit: an online group (likely to be working optometrists taking the unit as CET or under the ACOP umbrella) and an on-campus group (likely to be registered for IOVS). These two groups will be managed separately in order that all students feel they are part of the unit’s learning community. This will be achieved as follows:

• online students will be invited and expected to attend an evening ‘welcome’ session at the start of the unit for the course to be explained and important information about online resources, teaching styles, learning techniques etc. to be explained and discussed in a somewhat informal manner
• a separate session with the same objectives will be held in person for on-campus students who will also be invited to the online session to promote a sense of cohesion across the whole group
• all students will have the facility to take part in a weekly ‘office hour’ session; again, this will be online or in person at the choice of the student.
• engagement will be carefully monitored throughout and any indications of non-engagement will be identified by the unit coordinator and either raised directly with the student or with their academic advisor.

Students will: 

• have an understanding of relevant literature especially with respect to the evidence base supporting the use of contact lenses
• be familiar with the pathophysiology and management of some corneal pathologies related to contact lens wear
• understand relevant examination techniques for the cornea and associated contact lens management
• appreciate the nature and application of current contact lens management options
• learn about corneal diseases which can be managed with contact lenses
• understand the inflammatory response of the ocular surface and its relevance to contact lens wear.

Students should be able to:

• critically assess published relevant research and present such assessments in both written and verbal form.

Students should be able to:

• better prescribe and fit modern contact lenses.

Students should be able to:

• present and communicate scientific information and data
• gain confidence in the verbal delivery.

The students will receive feedback via Turnitin.

• Efron N. Contact Lens Practice. Third edition. ISBN 9780702066603.
• Phillips A and Speedwell L. Contact lenses. Sixth edition. ISBN 9780702071683.
• Special edition of Contact Lens and Anterior Eye: the CLEAR initiative. Publication Spring 2021.