Low Vision

OPTO30410 Low Vision 10 Full year Undergraduate Level 3 Christine Dickinson Unit coordinator 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Last part of a Bachelors ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 5.0 The unit aims to give the student a level of knowledge and experience which will allow them to carry out the assessment and rehabilitation of a low vision patient. <ul> <li>To understand the multi-disciplinary nature of low vision rehabilitation.</li> <li>To know the range of available optical and non-optical devices and strategies currently used in the rehabilitation of low vision patients: to understand the theoretical basis for them, their uses and limitations.</li> <li>To be able to describe and distinguish between impairment; activity limitation and participation restriction.</li> <li>To know the causes and prevalence of low vision, and its impact on Western and world society and healthcare policy.</li> <li>To appreciate the psychological impact of low vision on the individual, and show empathy with these individuals.</li> <li>To be able to accurately determine and record the visual status of a visually impaired person, and to understand  the functional implications of these findings, and how they relate to the ocular pathology.</li> <li>To be able to interact with a visually impaired patient and their carers in such a way as to gather the information required to accurately assess their situation, and to describe rehabilitative strategies.</li> <li>To be able to critically evaluate a patient presentation, and select an appropriate management approach.</li> <li>To be able to measure and specify telescopic and other optical devices.</li> <li>To be able to achieve the core competencies related to low vision required by the General Optical Council.</li></ul> Learning Content<ul> <li>Legal and functional definitions, registration; incidence and prevalence.</li> <li>Magnification methods: real image magnification - electronic systems; telescopic magnification; methods for prescribing distance and near magnification; optics of plus-lens magnifiers.</li> <li>Binocular correction; control of aberrations in plus lens magnifiers, availability in UK; hand-held and stand magnifiers.</li> <li>Telescopes; focal telescopes, contact lens telescopes.</li> <li>Sensory substitution, and technological solutions.</li> <li>Aids to improve peripheral awareness; eccentric viewing, prism relocation; non-optical aids, environmental design, glare, tints.</li> <li>Success rates with low vision aids and the role of training; outcome measures; sensory substitution; benefit of registration.</li></ul>Practical Content<ul> <li>A series of practical assignments (including “Induction”) will be timetabled during the year. Topics covered: visual assessment, predicting magnification; problems of using magnifiers; measuring equivalent power of a plus lens; identifying and measuring telescopes; reverse telescopes, field expanders and Peli prisms, training and instruction, rehabilitation strategies.</li> <li>Clinics will also be scheduled at MREH, which students will attend on two occasions.</li> <li>These sessions will provide approximately four patient experiences, and one dispensing episode.</li></ul> 0 Other 100% During the course:<ul> <li>group report on practical task (10%)</li> <li>group presentation of patient portfolio (20%).</li></ul>In the assessment period: <ul> <li>a closed book 1.5 hour on-campus online assessment ((MCQ (25%) and short answers (45%))</li> <li>please note that the practical examinations, involving formal assessment of core competencies, and the Low Vision contribution to Clinical Management, are part of OPTO30200 and not this unit.</li></ul> Optional regular on-line quizzes accompanying learning activities. Discussion of questions during tutorials. OPTO20100 Optometric Examination B Pre-Requisite Compulsory BSc (Hons) Optometry BSc (Hons) Optometry Third Year Mandatory MSci Optometry MSci Optometry Third Year Mandatory N See online reading list on Blackboard (Reading List Online). None of the "reading list" is compulsory but is available for clarification / optional further study. Compulsory reading is embedded within the learning modules.  0 0 0