Optometry and Ophthalmology CPD units

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Professional Certificate in Medical Retina

Course unit fact file
Unit code OPTO71300
Credit rating 15
Unit level FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

The unit will provide students with a core understanding of the anatomy of the retina with reference to modern imaging technologies. They will learn pathophysiology, clinical presentation and investigation techniques in particular detail. The unit will cover range of management strategies and approaches to treatment including screening, and common medical diseases of the retina in detail including diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusions and other vascular diseases and macular degeneration. Other more rare conditions will also be covered in less detail. Students should understand the latest research findings and apply evidence-based care to patients with age related macular degeneration. Students will learn the principles of critical appraisal and have practical experience of applying these skills.

Aims

The unit aims to provide students with knowledge of common medical retina conditions including diagnosis and management. This will incorporate areas such as screening, referral and treatment pathways where appropriate. Understanding of the role and importance of modern imaging and interpretation of these images and of clinical signs towards diagnosis will be a key aspect as well as subsequent formulation of a management plan. This will allow clinicians to understand how to manage patients, or community and hospital based optometrists to make accurate and appropriate referral decisions for patients with medical retina conditions. Finally the course aims to provide students with critical appraisal skills to keep knowledge up to date.

Teaching and learning methods

  • Lectures (in the form of online podcasts), Quizzes, Discussion boards, Case studies (all e-learning).
  • Setting of individual papers for critique and interactive assessment online.

Prof Cert students only:

  • practical skills day
  • OSCE including VRICS.

Knowledge and understanding

  • Explain the anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of the retina and retinal disease.
  • Understand the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic approach, imaging findings, and management options for retinal vascular pathologies.
  • They should have an understanding of relevant literature especially with respect to the evidence base supporting the use of current treatments for retinal vascular disease.

Intellectual skills

  • An ability to apply learning to novel  situations such as patient presentations
  • Problem solving, in particular with regards to diagnosis.
  • Critically assess published ophthalmic research and report results both orally and in written format, including critical appraisal of relevant papers and understand the role of research in this field.

Practical skills

  • Interpretation of modern retinal imaging.
  • To review papers submitted for publication and research proposals.

Prof Cert Students only:

  • an ability to interpret clinical images
  • an ability to detect and classify diabetic eye disease
  • an ability to detect and classify macular degeneration
  • an ability to recognise and manage acute retinal pathology, including appropriate referral
  • an ability to examine the fundus using appropriate Volk lenses.

Transferable skills and personal qualities

  • Communication, an ability to communicate effectively with patients.
  • Critical analysis.
  • Reflection.
  • Manage time and  work to deadlines.
  • Use initiative when seeking information.
  • Use information technology to a high standard.
  • Apply skills for identifying, appraising, synthesising and applying evidence.

Assessment methods

Assessment Length Feedback Weighting
Examination (short answer and MCQ) 2 hours After written examination  
Presentation on research paper 10 mins Immediately after presentation  
Prof Cert Students only OSCE 1 hour Within 15 working days  

Feedback methods

Written feedback will be given to students via the Blackboard learning community for written assessments. For the examinations and OSCEs, students will receive individual feedback from the examiners. 

Recommended reading

Ryan's Retina, 6th Edition. Authors: Andrew P. Schachat & Charles P. Wilkinson & David R. Hinton & K. Bailey Freund & David Sarraf & Peter Wiedemann & SriniVas R. Sadda
Date of Publication: 06/2017.

Gass' Atlas of Macular Diseases: 2 Volume Set - Expert Consult: Online and Print 5th Edition
by Anita Agarwal MD.

Retina- Color Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Ophthalmology (Wills Eye Series)
Authors Allen Ho, Gary Brown, J. Arch McNamara, and Carl D. Regillo
Publisher McGraw-Hill Professional.

Study hours

Independent study hours
Independent study 120

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Catherine Porter Unit coordinator
Tariq Aslam Unit coordinator

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