Postgraduate Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics
The Postgraduate Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics (GCOT) is designed to enable currently registered optometrists in Australia to upgrade their qualifications to meet the necessary level of expertise for endorsement to therapeutically treat ocular disease. This is in response to the legislation introduced by the Victorian State Government in 1996 allowing appropriately trained optometrists to administer approved S4 therapeutics agents.
The Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences at the University of Melbourne is the first optometry school to offer a postgraduate certificate, enabling current optometrists the opportunity to obtain therapeutic endorsement and was also the first to offer an upgraded Bachelor of Optometry course incorporating ocular therapeutics.
The Postgraduate Certificate draws on the Department's access to a unique combination of expertise in the fields of optometry, ophthalmology and medical sciences. As well as its own clinical expertise the Department draws on a range of international and local expertise. An international specialist in the field of ocular therapeutics and anterior eye disease management, and a range of leading ophthalmologists and clinical educators from the University of Melbourne and Melbourne's teaching hospital network also contribute in the delivery of the didactic component of the course. Components of the clinical placements are also based in hospital settings, where students have the opportunity to participate in specialist clinics.
Entry Requirements
The course is available to Australian citizens/permanent residents or New Zealand citizens. This course is not available to international students. Eligible candidates must have completed a four-year Australian Bachelors degree in Optometry (or its equivalent) and it is recommended that they have a minimum of one year's clinical practice experience.
Course Duration
The course is only available on a part-time basis. The didactic subject is offered in February/March each year and is delivered in an intensive block format on Friday afternoons (after 3pm) and weekends at the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences in Carlton.
The clinical placement subject involves students attending rostered clinics in private practices and/or a hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified Ophthalmologist. Placements will usually occur in the latter half of the year, June-December. On occasion, due to the availability of the placements, the placement period may extend into the following year.
2008 Course Dates (N.B. amended as at 20th December 2007)
- 15th - 17th February
- 22nd - 24th February
- 28th - 30th March
- 4th - 6th April
Structure of the Course
The Postgraduate Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics requires the completion of two 25-point subjects:
655-811 Ocular Therapeutics A
The aim of this subject is to provide students with a sound knowledge of bio-medical sciences in the context of understanding ocular anomalies and disorders and to be able to prescribe a range of drugs used in the management of eye diseases.
The subject provides students with the opportunity to consolidate and extend their knowledge of general pathology, immunology, microbiology and pharmacology as they relate to ophthalmic practice and ocular disease. Students will then advance their understanding of the diagnosis, treatment and therapeutic management of ocular disease, primarily in the areas of infective and inflammatory conditions of the anterior eye and glaucoma. In addition, the subject will cover aspects of shared (integrated) patient care, post-operative care of refractive surgery and cataract patients and, finally, explain the legal and administrative requirements associated with the prescription and use of S4 Poisons by endorsed optometrists in the State of Victoria, as well as some of the professional and ethical issues relating to therapeutic patient care.
During the course of this subject, students will also be required to complete a clinical skills assessment. It will be expected that students will be proficient in these techniques. On completion of the subject, students are required to complete 2 x 2hr written examinations, which are normally held in April, 4 weeks after the lectures have been completed (the exams are normally scheduled on consecutive Friday afternoons).
655-812 Ocular Therapeutics B
On completion of Part A of the Ocular Therapeutics course, students should be thoroughly familiar with the properties of ophthalmic therapeutic drugs and their applications, as well as their use in clinical practice. Part B of the course aims to build on this knowledge and provide students with first hand clinical experience of the management of anterior eye disorders.
Under expert guidance in a specialist practice or hospital setting, students will have the opportunity to observe the ongoing therapeutic management of major conditions of the cornea, conjunctiva and adnexae, as well as glaucoma. In addition, students will be tutored in the examination, diagnosis and management of acute presentations, in an eye hospital emergency department. Throughout this clinical experience, emphasis will be placed on inflammatory and infective disorders and glaucoma, with key areas covered being microbial drug resistance, appropriate use of steroids, therapeutic control of intraocular pressure and criteria for referral for specialist treatment.
In order to meet registration requirements, students will be required to complete a total of 50 hours of placement under the supervision of an approved experienced therapeutic prescriber in a variety of specialist eye care settings.
Upon completion of their placements, candidates are required to prepare three case reports on selected topics.
An oral examination is then held which includes a defence of the submitted case reports as well as additional discussion relating to other issues of clinical care associated with therapeutic management of ocular disease.
The timing of the oral examination is related to the completion of the placements (more than one oral exam is held), and therefore varies for each group of students.
Articulation to Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Clinical Optometry
Students who successfully complete the Postgraduate Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics may choose to articulate to the Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Clinical Optometry. This provides students with the opportunity to advance their clinical skills in selected fields, and to re-examine the basic sciences of optometry with the benefit of the latest information and an emphasis on understanding and dealing with clinical problems. Students will be eligible to apply for up to 25 points credit towards the Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Clinical Optometry and will be required to complete another three 25 point subjects. For further information, please contact the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences or visit the website.
Continuing Education
Subjects completed within the Postgraduate Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics can be credited towards the continuing education requirements for optometrists. Graduates should contact the Optometrist's Association of Australia (OAA) for information on how to apply for credit.
Fees
For information on course fees, go to:
How to Apply
Information on application processes, including an online form, can be found on the web.:
- Additional Instructions: As per section D3, please provide proof of registration in Australia/New Zealand as well as advise original year of registration.
The closing date for applications for commencement in Semester One is 30 November. Late applications may be accepted until 19 December.
As places are limited applications will be assessed after the closing date. Applicants can expect to receive advice on the outcome of their application by 16 January 2009. Pre-course reading materials will only be supplied once enrolment has been confirmed.
Course numbers are limited and once maximum numbers are reached, applicants will be placed on a waiting list and notified if places become available. Please note that a minimum enrolment of 35 students is required in order for the course to run each year. The Department reserves the right to postpone a course if there are insufficient enrolments.