OPT009: Glaucoma Foundation

This module is designed to provide you with background knowledge and understanding about the pathogenesis and detection of glaucoma and to provide a consistent approach to referral refinement/repeated measures pathways in community primary care.

Along with OPT010, this module is accredited by the College of Optometrists to provide the Professional Certificate in Glaucoma.

This is a distance learning only module. There is no practical component to this module.

Practitioners in the UK may be eligible to apply for an exemption from this module and begin at OPT010 if they have completed LOCSU Glaucoma within the last three years

Learning objectives

On completion of this module you should be able to:

• critically reflect knowledge of issues related to glaucoma care with a focus on case finding and management in community primary care optometric practice
• evaluate and apply modern key concepts of glaucoma care and be able to apply them to challenges within your environment and practice
• address and reflect on the benefit of inter-professional teamwork in the delivery of glaucoma care
• assess the signs and symptoms of potential glaucoma eye disease to make a differential diagnosis and to rank options for diagnosis and management, with a focus on community optometric practice
• explore, critically analyse, synthesis and evaluate evidence-based literature, guidelines and underpinning theories in glaucoma care and apply this knowledge to given scenarios, demonstrating how you would determine the most appropriate solutions for a patient accessing ophthalmic care (with a focus on primary care)
• present balanced and informed arguments, incorporating critical judgment and decision-making in written work

How the module will be delivered

This module is taught via lectures (PowerPoint with audio) and Xerte tutorials, delivered via Learning Central, the University’s e-learning system, with supporting resources and references supplied. There is an introductory webinar.

Discussion boards accessed via Learning Central will provide a platform for students to discuss any questions or queries that come up throughout the term with the course tutors and their peers.

Syllabus content

• Epidemiology and risk factors of the various types of glaucoma, particularly concentrating on COAG and ocular hypertension (OHT)
• Difference between open and narrow anterior chamber angle and primary and secondary glaucoma, and how to form a basic classification based on these differences
• The specific signs of glaucomatous optic disc changes
• The link between intraocular pressure (IOP) and glaucoma, and revise the extraneous and measurement errors which affect the measurement of IOP
• The underlying anatomy and physiology which dictate where and why visual field loss occurs in chronic open-angle glaucoma (COAG)
• Choosing the most appropriate field examination for the investigation of suspect COAG
• NICE guidelines for monitoring previously diagnosed and untreated OHT and suspected glaucoma
• NICE guidelines for referral of OHT and COAG from primary to secondary care
• The link between IOP and glaucoma, and revise the extraneous and measurement errors which affect the measurement of IOP
• The principles of Van Herick’s technique and the variations in the angle

Skills that will be practised and developed

Academic skills

• Advance your knowledge and understanding
• Collate and synthesise information from several resources to improve learning
• Write concisely and clearly for the academic and clinical community
• Interpret data

Generic skills

• Manage projects and time
• Work independently
• Use a range of IT software packages and online resources
• Problem-solving

How the module will be assessed

Formative

• You will have an opportunity to submit a piece of written coursework for formative assessment and feedback
• Visual Recognition and Interpretation of Clinical Signs (VRICS) Formative Coursework: VRICS are similar to MCQs but each question is linked to image slides of relevant cases. These will be used to facilitate learning and not as assessed coursework

Summative

• Online test (50%): There is an online test that will assess comprehension and application across the entire syllabus
• Written coursework (50%): Students will be required to submit one final piece of written coursework. In preparation for the coursework formative case blogs will be introduced during the semester

Useful websites

Glaucoma: Diagnosis and management of chronic open angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension (NICE guidelines)