UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

In this unit, students will gain a foundation in the physical and biomedical sciences that underpin optometric practice through engagement in problem-based learning cases of common optometric conditions. Students will also be learning the methodology and engaged in initiating and planning for a major research project.

Specific topics to be addressed in this unit include:

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

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

- appraising the correlation between anatomical and physiological structure and function of the eye associated with common optometric conditions;

- critically applying the principles of optical physics to the study of the eye;

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

- critically applying the principles of pharmacology to the management of basic and intermediate levels of optometric conditions;

- conducting a comprehensive literature review, leading to the definition of a research theme, formulation of a hypothesis and a feasible study design proposal, which will form the basis of a major 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 basic and intermediate levels of optometric conditions particularly developmental and refractive disorders of vision; (2) assess the basic and intermediate levels of optometric conditions associated with ocular disease and therapy, and systemic disorders of vision; (3) assess the correlation between anatomical and physiological structures and functions associated with basic and intermediate levels of optometric conditions; (4) evaluate, in terms of optical physics, basic and intermediate levels of optometric conditions; (5) assess the pathological, immunological and microbiological processes associated with basic and intermediate levels of optometric conditions; (6) assess the principles of pharmacology in the management of basic and intermediate levels of optometric conditions; (7) evaluate current developments in research that are of particular relevance to optometry; (8) appraise scientific literatures to formulate a research strategy for a major optometric investigation; and (9) demonstrate a high level of oral and written communication skills in the construct of a research methodology and data gathering, on a given topic, in the field of ophthalmic science.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) tests; (2) ongoing assessments; (3) professional behaviour assessment; and (4) written assessments. 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

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

OPTM5102 Optometric Practice 1

Incidental fees

Incidental student fees and charges are costs incurred by students as part of their studies at UWA that are in addition to their tuition fees (further information is available "
Participation in this unit will incur the following incidental fee(s):
Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscopy, Condensing Lens (estimated cost - 2500-4000).

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.