OPTO8003 Clinical Skills for Optometrists 2

This topic builds on skills and continues the provision of the theoretical knowledge and practice of clinical skills for optometry. It will provide further knowledge and training of optometric procedures for the examination, diagnosis, treatment of visual and ocular conditions using current best-practice methodology, evidence based practice. Skills to be developed include keratometry and corneal imaging, gonioscopy, tonometry, pachymetry, near vision, binocular vision assessment, foreign body removal, epilation, contact lens handling and colour vision assessment. Reinforcement of skills will be provided including: case history, assessment of visual function, subjective and objective refraction, vertometry, ocular motility, exophthalmometry, pupillary responses, anterior and posterior segment examination, visual fields and posterior segment imaging.

This topic aims to:

• Provide students with the theory and practical skills of individual clinical techniques for assessing vision and ocular health
• Ensure students will have a thorough understanding of an optometric consultation and the necessary communication skills required through observing and performing examinations in a clinical setting
• Enable students to continue to learn how to synthesize clinical information in order to manage patient's visual anomalies
• Provide students with a thorough understanding of the scope of clinical practice
• Provide students with the skills to make the diagnosis of various visual, ocular and cranial conditions

1. Obtain a case history and develop effective communication
2. Comprehensively test visual function
3. Comprehensively evaluate oculo-motor coordination and binocular vision
4. Detect and correct refractive errors with spectacles and contact lenses
5. Examine the health of the eye with specific optometric instruments and imaging equipment
6. Begin to synthesize clinical information obtained through examination and develop action plans to assess and rectify anomalies
7. Understand the vision science underpinning these clinical skills