UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

In this unit students will gain a foundation in the competencies for entry-level optometry practice as defined by the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand (OCANZ). The competencies are linked to the cases presented in OPTM5101 Integrated Ophthalmic Science 1. In addition to encountering the principles and practical skills necessary for practice as an optometrist, students will be introduced to the concepts and conventions of working with, and alongside other health providers, within a complex health care system. They will engage with some of the legal and ethical, professional practice and public health issues for work in optometry.

Topics to be addressed in this unit include:

- developing the skills for taking effective patient histories associated with common optometric conditions;

- developing the skills in conducting thorough patient examinations associated with common optometric conditions;

- demonstrate and thoroughly discuss principles of diagnosis, patient management and recording of clinical data for common optometric conditions;

- evaluate the legal and ethical issues associated with common optometric conditions;

- apply the knowledge and demonstrate the skills required in professional practice related to common optometric conditions;

- assess the impact of the public and population health issues related to common optometric conditions.

Credit

12 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Non-standard teaching period	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) perform effective patient history taking relevant to common optometric conditions presented in OPTM5101; (2) perform basic patient examination techniques relevant to common optometric conditions presented in OPTM5101; (3) critically apply the principles of diagnosis, patient management and recording of clinical data relevant to the common optometric conditions presented in OPTM5101; (4) evaluate the legal and ethical issues associated with common optometric conditions presented in OPTM5101; (5) assess professional practice issues associated with common optometric conditions presented in OPTM5101; and (6) assess the impact of public and population health issues underlying common optometric conditions presented in OPTM5101.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) ongoing assessments; (2) oral assessments; (3) clinical assessments; and (4) professional behaviour assessment. Further information is available in the unit outline.

To pass this unit, a student must: (a) achieve an overall mark of 50 per cent or higher for the unit; and (b) achieve the requisite requirements(s) or a mark of 50 per cent or greater, whichever is higher and specified in the unit outline, for the clinical assessments and professional behaviour assessment components.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Lisa Jansen

Unit rules

Prerequisites

Enrolment in

91590 (Doctor of Optometry) AND completion of OPTM3101 Science of the Eye and Visual System 1,
AND OPTM3102 Principles of Optometry 1,
AND OPTM3103 Science of the Eye and Visual System 2
AND OPTM3104 Principles of Optometry 2

Co-requisites

OPTM5101 Integrated Ophthalmic Science 1

Contact hours

Clinical skills practicals: up to 100 hours.
Workshops: up to 24 hours.
Lectures, symposia and inter-professional education sessions: up to 36 hours.
Observational clinical (optometric and allied health) placements up to 20 hours.