MOptom (Hons) Optometry

• Year 1

• In your first year, you’ll focus on learning the basic scientific principles of optometry. You’ll also begin developing the clinical skills essential to the profession. During your one-week observational placement, you’ll see first-hand what working as an optometrist involves.

  Core modules

  • Visual Perception (OPT404)

    This module is designed to help the student develop the necessary knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of visual perception, visual pathways and psychophysical methodology associated with visual perception.

  • Geometric and Physical Optics (OPT405)

    This module introduces the student to the physical and geometric properties of light and prepares the student for the module Visual optics and Ophthalmic lenses

  • Visual Optics and Ophthalmic Lenses (OPT406)

    This module introduces the student to the optical properties of the eye, ophthalmic lenses and other optical instruments.

  • Anatomy and Physiology (OPT407)

    This module is designed to introduce optometry students to the fundamentals of ocular and human anatomy and physiology relevant to practice in this profession.

  • Clinical Optometry Skills (OPT408)

    This module enables the student to develop the skills and competencies to conduct a basic refraction and ocular health examination.

  • Preparation for Practice (SOHP401)

    This inter-professional module will introduce students to professional practice and the inherent standards expected of them. The characteristics and identity of allied health professionals, as evidence based practitioners, will underpin learning.

• Year 2

• In the second year, you’ll learn about advanced ophthalmic examination and study ocular diseases and pharmacology in more detail. On your two-week clinical placement, you’ll start getting hands-on experience, applying the skills you’ve learnt so far and working directly with patients.

  Core modules

  • Project Studies (SOHP503)

    This module develops knowledge and skills related to evidence-based practice and lifelong learning. The content is designed to enable the students to understand different research designs, to evaluate the research literature and to prepare them to undertake research at undergraduate level. Meets all or part of HCPC Standards of Proficiency: 2b.1, 3a.

  • Paediatric and Binocular Vision (OPT503)

    This module will enable the student to understand and assess extra-ocular muscles and their relation to eye movements.

  • Clinical Optometry Skills and Refractive Management (OPT505)

    This module will enable the student extending and enhancing the clinical skills to conduct an eye examination and interpret the results to make basic clinical and refractive management recommendations.

  • Specialist Optometry Skills (OPT506)

    This module addresses specialist skills in clinical optometry, including contact lenses and visual impairment.

  • Introduction to Pathology and Therapeutics (OPT507)

    This module is designed to develop the necessary understanding, differential diagnosis and investigation of ocular and systemic pathology, including the principles of ocular pharmacology and medicines relevant to optometric practice and use in management of some ocular diseases.

• Year 3

• In your third year, you’ll continue developing confidence and clinical skills by working directly with real patients at the University’s Centre for Eye Care Excellence optometry practice. Alongside this practical learning, you’ll study complex case scenarios in the key areas of optometry and complete a supervised research project in an area you’re interested in. You’ll also investigate the legal and ethical issues around managing a business.

  Core modules

  • Project (SOHP605)

    This module consolidates knowledge and skills related to evidence-based practice and lifelong learning. The content will support the students to undertake research at undergraduate level, to discuss their findings in the context of the contemporary evidence base and to evaluate the implications of their activities on their future practice.

  • General Optometric Practice (OPT601)

    This module will enable the student to apply and integrate previous experience to carry out a routine eye examination and consider occupational and lifestyle requirements to make appropriate management decisions.

  • Specialist Optometric Practice (OPT602)

    This module will enable the student to apply and integrate previous knowledge and skills gained in contact lenses, binocular vision and visual impairment to carry out routine and non-routine patient assessment and management.

  • Enhanced Pathology and Therapeutics (OPT603)

    This module is designed to build on and expand the student's knowledge and understanding of ocular and systemic pathology and therapeutics and supplements the second year introductory module.

  • Clinical Case Management in Optometry (OPT604)

    This module will enable the students to develop their problem solving and professional reasoning skills, including the legal and ethical framework, in optometric practice. The module will also help to develop an awareness of business skills relevant to optometrists.

• Final year

• In your fourth and final year you will undertake a 44 week placement where you will have the opportunity to hone your clinical skills. During this year you will work in clinical practice under the supervision of a Registered Optometrist.

  Core modules

  • Clinical Optometric Learning in Practice 1 (OPT701)

    This module builds on studies in Year 3 and permits students to further develop their clinical testing and management skills under supervision in a clinical placement setting.

  • Clinical Optometric Learning in Practice 2 (OPT702)

    This module builds on studies in Year 3 and permits students to further develop their clinical testing and management skills under supervision in a clinical placement setting. The module ensures that students can work effectively and efficiently in the clinical environment, including addressing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) issues and delivering safe and effective testing, management and referral of patients.

  Optional modules

  • Glaucoma (ACO701)

    This module will enable students to extend their theoretical knowledge of glaucoma and develop their clinical skills to an enhanced level to support accurate referral and monitoring of diagnosed ocular hypertension and suspect chronic open angle glaucoma patients.

  • Medical Retina (ACO702)

    This module will enable students to extend their theoretical knowledge of medical retina and develop their clinical skills to an enhanced level to support differential diagnosis, referral, management and treatment pathways.

  • Acute and Emergency Eye Care (ACO703)

    This module will enable students to extend their theoretical knowledge of acute and emergency eyecare and develop their clinical skills to an enhanced level to support differential diagnosis, referral, management and treatment pathways.

  • Cataract (ACO704)

    This module will enable students to extend their theoretical knowledge of cataract and develop their clinical skills to an enhanced level to support differential diagnosis, referral, management and treatment pathways.

  • Advanced Glaucoma (ACO705)

    This module will enable students to extend their theoretical knowledge of glaucoma investigation and management and develop their clinical skills to an advanced level to support diagnosis and complex decision making in ocular hypertension and new or established glaucoma.

  • Advanced Medical Retina (ACO706)

    This module will enable students to extend their theoretical knowledge of medical retina and develop their clinical skills to an advanced level to support differential diagnosis, referral, management and treatment pathways.

  • Advanced Acute and Emergency Eye Care (ACO707)

    This module will enable students to extend their theoretical knowledge of acute and emergency eyecare and develop their clinical skills to an advanced level to support differential diagnosis, referral, management and treatment pathways.

  • Advanced Cataract (ACO708)

    This module will enable students to extend their theoretical knowledge of cataract and develop their clinical skills to an advanced level to support differential diagnosis, referral, management and treatment pathways.

  • Advanced Paediatric Ophthalmology (ACO709)

    This module will build upon increasing your knowledge of the development of vision and the eye, and common ocular conditions encountered in childhood to enable you to adapt your routine to meet the specific needs of younger patients and provide high quality paediatric ophthalmology care in a hospital or community setting.

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

MOptom Hons Optometry Programme Specification 2023 24 7462