MMED3940 Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics

This topic aims to provide optometry students with knowledge related to the drugs commonly prescribed within their scope of practice. This knowledge will be enhanced by an understanding of the mechanisms of actions of drugs both in the eye (e.g. antihistamines) and systemically (e.g. cardiovascular drugs). In depth knowledge will be gained through critical examination of key drug classes (e.g. mydriatics and cycloplegics) and contextualised by further learning of drug classes and their therapeutic use in the treatment of systemic (e.g. diabetes, hypertension, infection) and ocular diseases (e.g. glaucoma, microbial eye disease). Relevance of the material will be highlighted by reference to drugs that optometrists are currently licensed to prescribe

This topic aims to assist students to build further on their knowledge of pharmacology and therapeutics that can be utilised in the optometric setting. The specified learning outcomes will encourage safe medication practice within the current legal and ethical boundaries of optometric practice. Specifically the topic aims to:

• Encourage acquisition of advanced knowledge of ocular pharmacology and therapeutics
• Ensure that advanced knowledge of ocular pharmacology provides the foundation for independent therapeutic practice
• Ensure the knowledge foundation in ocular pharmacology and therapeutics provides the basis for career-long learning

1. Demonstrate links between mechanistic pharmacology and therapeutics
2. Integrate knowledge of physiology/pathophysiology and pharmacology as it relates to drug therapy of the eye
3. Demonstrate knowledge of drug classes used in the treatment of systemic diseases and drug classes that cause ocular adverse effects
4. Select, manage, monitor and review ocular drug therapy
5. Demonstrate knowledge of how to acquire accurate (peer reviewed) information on medicines approved for use by the Therapeutic Drugs Administration (TGA)