UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

In this unit, students will advance and apply their knowledge in the physical and biomedical sciences that underpin optometric practice through engagement in problem-based learning cases of optometric conditions of increased complexity. Students will also be engaged in organising and implementing a major research project from OPTM5101 Integrated Ophthalmic Science 1.

Specific topics to be addressed in this unit include:

- a critical understanding of the intermediate and complex levels of optometric conditions particularly those associated with developmental and refractive disorders of vision;

- a critical understanding of the intermediate and complex levels of optometric conditions associated with ocular disease and therapy and systemic disorders of vision;

- a critical understanding of the systemic and neurological conditions affecting the eye and visual system;

- developing the knowledge about anatomical and physiological assessments of the eye and visual system used in the work-up of intermediate and complex levels of optometric conditions;

- developing the skills to apply the principles of optical physics to the study of the eye (e.g. low vision aids, specialised contact lenses);

- a critical understanding of the pathological, immunological and microbiological processes associated with intermediate and complex levels of optometric conditions;

- critically applying the principles of pharmacology to the management of intermediate and complex levels of optometric conditions, in particular the side effects relating to ocular and systemic manifestations;

- developing and implementing a major research project, including ethics application, data collection and management, which will form the basis of a research dissertation in OPTM5105 Optometry Research Project.

Credit

12 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

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

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) evaluate intermediate and complex levels of developmental and refractive disorders of vision; (2) assess systemic and neurological conditions that affect the eyes and visual system; (3) assess intermediate and complex organic eye diseases of the anterior eye; (4) assess intermediate and complex organic eye diseases of the posterior eye; (5) evaluate pathological, immunological and microbiological processes associated with intermediate and complex levels of optometric conditions; (6) assess the principles of pharmacology in the management of intermediate and complex levels of optometric conditions, in particular the side effects relating to ocular and systemic manifestations; (7) demonstrate team work in implementing the data collection process of the research project; and (8) demonstrate team work in implementing the data analysis process of the research project.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) tests; (2) ongoing assessments; (3) written 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 professional behaviour assessment component.

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

Unit Coordinator(s)

Jeremiah Lim

Unit rules

Prerequisites

OPTM5101 Integrated Ophthalmic Science 1
AND OPTM5102 Optometric Practice 1

Co-requisites

OPTM5104 Optometric Practice 2

Contact hours

Problem-based learning tutorials: up to 48 hours.
Lectures and seminars: up to 80 hours
Team-based learning seminars: up to 24 hours.

Texts

eTG Complete. https://tgldcdp.tg.org.au/

Uptodate. https://uptodate.com

Edwards K. Optometry. Elsevier Health Sciences. 2nd edition.