OPT037: Advanced Paediatric Eye Care

This module is aimed at providing eye care practitioners with the knowledge and skills to provide a high standard of paediatric eye care.

It builds on the core knowledge in OPT006 and OPT033 to enable the practitioner to develop an ability to deliver eye care to more complex paediatric cases and specialist populations, and to understand the evidence for developing management options.

This module is accredited by the College of Optometrists to provide the Professional Higher Certificate in Paediatric Eye Care. It follows on from the College of Optometrists Professional Certificate in Paediatric Eye Care (OPT006 and OPT033).

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

Learning objectives

Following completion of the programme an optometrist will be able to demonstrate:

• a detailed knowledge of typical visual development and common abnormal visual outcomes
• an understanding of childhood development
• a detailed knowledge of the strengths and limitations of tests and techniques for infants and children
• an ability to assess visual function in infants and children with visual impairment (VI) and with developmental disability
• a detailed knowledge of the typical visual characteristics of infants and children with visual impairment and developmental disability
• a detailed knowledge of the evidence base for the risks and benefits of binocular vision therapy
• an understanding of current and developing amblyopia therapies
• an understanding of the current evidence underpinning myopia control
• an understanding of the indications for and implications of contact lens wear in infants and children
• an ability to formulate, communicate and deliver an evidence-based management plan for infants and children both typically developing and those with developmental disability and/or visual impairment

How the module will be delivered

There are interactive online lectures/ interactive Xerte tutorials, delivered via Learning Central, the University’s e-learning system, with supporting resources and references supplied. They are given by experts in their respective fields.

Key features scenarios of guided case based learning allow students to revise and apply knowledge to patient scenarios in a virtual setting via Learning Central.

Webinars will allow students to discuss the formative key features scenarios with each other and with a tutor. Students will be encouraged to present their own cases during webinars.

Two and a half practical training days will deliver workshops allowing for experience in contact lenses, advanced dispensing, and the role of other professionals. Case discussions will allow practitioners to have peer and tutor input into clinical scenarios including their own patients. Seminars with children and young people with VI with parents of children with special needs will increase the appreciation of practitioners of the issues children with VI and other special needs face in education, in eye examinations, and in everyday life.

How the module will be assessed

Case Reports (55%): Students will be required to submit five case records from their clinical practice emphasising management and reflection.

Presentation (20%): Each student will present one of the cases to the group during the practical days, and lead a discussion of the issues arising.

Practical day ISCEs (25%): Four ISCE stations lasting 4 mins each will assess the ability to carry out tasks associated with examining children.

Logbook (0%) comprising 40 patient episodes conducted by the student, showing management with evidence, and reflection.

Skills that will be practised and developed

Academic skills

• advancing own knowledge and understanding to higher level
• collate information from a number of resources to improve learning

Subject-specific skills

• critical appraisal of the evidence base for current clinical practice in paediatric eye care
• understanding of the impact of visual impairment on childhood development
• knowledge of the common causes of developmental disability and the optometric deficits associated with the conditions
• communicate effectively with children of all ages and abilities, and their parents/carers
• development of practical skills to assess and manage children of all ages and all abilities
• ability to formulate an evidence-based management strategy for eye care in children of all ages and abilities
• understanding of the role of other professionals involved with children and the importance of working in collaboration

Generic skills

• time management
• working independently
• critical appraisal of the literature
• problem solving skills
• communication skills