OPT032: Glaucoma 3 (Advanced)

This module follows on from OPT009, OPT010 and OPT031, and is the final module in the glaucoma series.

This module aims to equip you with the knowledge, skills and experience required to provide either a comprehensive community glaucoma service or to work with a high degree of autonomy within a secondary care glaucoma sub-specialist clinic. Upon completion, you should be equipped to make appropriate evidence-based management decisions in a wide range of glaucoma-related conditions including a comprehensive knowledge of diagnosis and treatment and the ability to detect clinical change.

You will be required to organise a clinical placement within a secondary care glaucoma clinic, identifying a glaucoma specialist ophthalmologist mentor to support them. If you are seeking the College’s Professional Diploma in Glaucoma, you will be required to collect evidence of having seen at least 250 patient episodes during your placement. This evidence will be collected in the form of a clinical logbook to be submitted at the end of the module. Please be aware that cases for the Diploma must be in addition to any cases submitted previously as part of the College’s Professional Higher Certificate in Glaucoma.

This module takes TWO academic terms to complete and there are two non-consecutive online contact days, these will usually be held in January and June.

This module has been accredited by the College of Optometrists and students who provide satisfactory evidence of the experience gained during their clinical placement will be awarded the College’s Professional Diploma in Glaucoma.

There are CET points available on completion of applicable elements of the module.

Start date	September
Duration	Two academic terms
Credits	20 credits
Prerequisites	OPT009 (or exemption via LOCSU Glaucoma or Wales Glaucoma Referral Refinement), OPT010 and OPT031
Module tutors	Angela Whitaker (leader)
Tuition fees (2023/24)	£1300 - Home students £2430 - Students from outside the EU *Please contact us for EU fees.
Module code	OPT032

On completion of the module you should be able to:

• Evaluate and apply modern key concepts of diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of glaucoma care and be able to apply them to challenges within a comprehensive community practice with a high degree of autonomy or within a secondary care glaucoma sub-specialist clinic
• Address and reflect on the benefit of inter-professional teamwork in the delivery of glaucoma care
• Present balanced and informed arguments, incorporating critical judgment and decision-making in written assessments
• Effectively reflect on and evaluate learning
• Assess the signs and symptoms of glaucoma and glaucoma-related conditions to make a differential diagnosis and to rank options for management
• Problem solve and develop, monitor and change management plans based on evidence and sound professional and clinical judgment
• Critically reflect on knowledge of complex, controversial and/ or contentious issues related to glaucoma care
• 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 treatment for a patient accessing glaucoma care

How the module will be delivered

This module is taught via online lectures delivered via Learning Central, the University’s e-learning system, with supporting resources and references supplied. Discussion boards accessed via Learning Central will provide a platform for you to discuss any questions or queries that come up throughout the term with both the course tutors and your peers

There will be an introductory webinar and two online progress meetings with a tutor. In addition, there are two online contact days, the first with a communication skills workshop, case discussions and presentations to peers, and the second with the summative assessments.

How the module will be assessed

Formative assessments: Progress meetings and formal case reports: Students will participate in two one-on-one progress meetings with an assessor via video link during the module. Students will submit one case report and one reflection document in advance of each meeting along with a copy of the clinical logbook documenting their placement progress (see below). The assessor will provide formative feedback on the case report and will review progress on the student’s clinical placement and logbook. The placement mentor may choose to participate in these meetings.

Presentation to peers: Following the progress meetings, students will attend a group session at which they will present one/two case(s) to their student peers. They will field questions from their peers and/or an assessor who will also provide feedback on the case and its management along with the quality of presentation.

Communication workshop: As a group, students will have the opportunity to practise and refine their communication skills about glaucoma management. Students will take turns in tasks including taking a history, explaining a condition and its impact, and explaining a treatment including any risks and benefits. Students will receive feedback from their peers, the patient(s) and as well as their assessor.

Glaucoma change case-based tutorial: As a group, students will participate in a case-based tutorial on the detection of glaucomatous progression using imaging devices and tests of visual function. This fully interactive session will be led by glaucoma specialist tutors.  

Multiple choice questions: After each distance learning lecture students will undertake a series of five MCQ questions with feedback to self-test understanding.

Summative assessments:

Formal case reports (30%): Two written case reports each covering an episode of patient care in which the student has been involved (each report 1500-2000 words).

Clinical station assessments (30%): Three timed stations.

Case report viva (40%): A 45-60 minute viva voce examination with two examiners on a previously submitted set of formal case reports (separate from those referred to above).

Skills that will be practised and developed:

Mastery in 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

Mastery in generic skills

• manage projects and time
• work independently
• use a range of IT software packages and online resources
• problem-solving

Contact

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