Faculty of ScienceDepartment of Optometry & Vision Sciences

Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Clinical Optometry

Course Description

The Department of Optometry & Vision Sciences at the University of Melbourne is pleased to announce the re-launch of its Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Clinical Optometry.

This course allows optometrists 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. Subjects are in depth, challenging and are designed to significantly advance optometrists’ clinical skills in selected fields.

The range of subjects on offer have been expanded and enhanced to include an exciting list of topical subject areas. Specifically designed for off-campus study, the course also allows you the opportunity to complete and apply learning tasks in your own practice.  The subjects are delivered using the latest on-line learning technologies and approaches, giving you the opportunity to interact with colleagues and educators, whilst enjoying the convenience and flexibility of off-campus study

Entry Requirements

The Diploma is available to both Australian and New Zealand citizens/permanent residents and to international candidates.

Eligible candidates must have completed a four-year Australian Bachelors degree in Optometry or equivalent, or hold a three-year Optometry degree (such as the BSc Optometry qualification from the United Kingdom) followed by a year of supervised clinical practice.

Course Duration

The Diploma is only offered by distance education mode. It may be completed in one year of full time study or over two years of part time study.

Structure of the Course

The Diploma requires the completion of four semester long subjects:

All subjects are specifically designed so that they can be pursued via distance education. The University of Melbourne Learning Mangement System (LMS) provides a suitable user-friendly online environment to access links to study notes & reading material, communication and online learning tools. The study notes will guide reading, ask questions and suggest exercises designed to promote understanding. Communication is an important aspect of each subject allowing students to interact and engage in discussion and sharing of ideas with the lecturer and other students. It is expected that students will spend 16-18 hours per week study time on each semeter long (12 weeks) subject. The time spent each week will vary according the tasks that are to be completed in a particular week.

655-802 Advanced Anterior Eye Disease Management (Semester 1)

This subject will allow optometrists to advance their clinical capabilities in the day-to-day management of eye disease by affording them the opportunity to review the most current theories on the pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of anterior eye disease, thus preparing them to better embrace changes in the scope of optometric practice. Given the explosion in the literature of health sciences, the course will concentrate on helping optometrists to develop a deeper understanding of a select group of common anterior eye diseases. It is expected that optometrists will, as a result, develop enhanced clinical capabilities in these areas. The course will also provide optometrists with the tools necessary to develop a deeper, evidence-based understanding in other eye diseases of their choosing, thus empowering them to improve their clinical skills across a gamut of anterior eye disease.

655-803 Clinical Management of Low Vision (Semester 1)

Topics covered within this subject include the epidemiology and geographic distribution of blindness; the roles and methods within the rehabilitative team for the support and rehabilitation of the visually disabled; the procedures for comprehensive assessment of rehabilitation of the visually disabled; the procedures for comprehensive assessment of visual disability and the management of patients with partial sight; and the principles and performance of optical, non-optical and technological aids for the enhancement of low vision. Emphasis is on clinical set-up, application and support of patients with low vision.

655-805 Advanced Contact Lens Management (Semester 2)

This subject is designed to provide optometrists with the opportunity to extend their capabilities in contact lens practice. Optometrists will explore contemporary evidence-based information regarding common in-practice contact lens issues including: use of clinical grading scales; contact lens dryness; microbiology and infection associated with contact lens wear; and the impact of new materials and solutions, in particular silicone hydrogels. Optometrists will also extend their knowledge in specialty contact lens fitting such as: toric rigid lens fitting; contact lenses for keratoconus; orthokeratology and the fitting of contact lenses after refractive surgery and keratoplasty.

655-806 Paediatric Optometry (Semester 1)

This subject covers central issues within the field of paediatric optometry, with the aim of developing each enrolled optometrist's capacity for highly evolved communication and co-management with other professionals involved in paediatric assessment and care. A range of areas will be covered, encompassing the developmental, visual, medical and educational issues relevant to paediatric optometry. Specific areas covered will include diseases and disorders such as amblyopia, comitant and incomitant strabismus, ametropia, and disorders of refraction, accommodation and vergence.

By introducing optometrists to a wide range of modern and classical literature, the course fosters a deeper, evidence-based understanding of central themes, thereby providing a solid context against which to evaluate emerging issues relevant to world’s best practice of paediatric optometry.

655-807 Advanced Posterior Eye Disease Management (Semester 2)

This subject is to enable optometrists to advance their capabilities in the day-to-day management of eye disease by affording them the opportunity to review the most current ideas on the pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of ocular disease affecting the back of the eye, thus also preparing them for any further shifts in the scope of optometric practice in this area. This module will include a critical examination of how the state-of-the-art diagnostic and imaging tools can be incorporated into clinical practice. Given the explosion in the literature of health sciences, the course will concentrate on developing a deep understanding in a select group of eye diseases regularly seen in optometric practice (for example, glaucoma, diabetes, age-related macular degeneration). The course will, however, provide optometrists with the tools necessary to develop a deeper, evidence-based understanding in other eye diseases of their choosing.

655-808 Management of Neural Disorders of Vision (Semester 2)

This subject is to enable optometrists to extend their abilities to evaluate the sensory and motor pathways of the visual system, both in the context of evaluating visual complaints themselves as well as gaining further knowledge of how visual and ocular motor signs may reflect a range of systemic conditions, particularly of the central nervous system.  Because complaints related to these pathways may reflect problems arising anywhere from the anterior visual pathways to the higher-order visual cortices, optometrists should benefit from gaining a deeper understanding of the current state of knowledge of these pathways and their assessment.

More information can be found in the 2010 University Handbook.

Assessment

All assessment are designed to reinforce subject learning in a clinical practice context. Hence there are no examinations and all assignments are submitted online. Ongoing contribution to the subject’s online community, along with critical assessment of research articles in an interactive, online format is an important aspect of each subject and also contributes to the assessment.

Credit for Prior Studies

Graduate students who have completed tertiary study may be eligible for course credits, or exemptions - please visit the Graduate School of Sciences page Advanced Standing / Credit for more information on the policy and how to apply. There are currently no opportunities for credit from the Postgraduate Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics.

Fees

Australian fee place
2010 course fee: $12,450^ (per EFTSL) (this equates to $3,112.50 per subject).

International fee place
2010 course fee: $13,050^ (per EFTSL) (this equates to $3262.50 per subject).

Fee footnote: ^ Does not include the Amenities and Services fee or (international students only) Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).

For more information on fees, go to:

Local applicants may be eligible to access the Government's Fee-HELP program. FEE-HELP loans are provided by the Commonwealth Government and are repaid through the tax system once your income is above the minimum threshold for compulsory repayment. Debts accrued under FEE-HELP will be indexed to the consumer price index (CPI) but are otherwise interest fee.

Once the maximum of FEE-HELP loan has been reached, up-front payments will apply for any subsequent fee-based study at undergraduate or graduate levels. Visit the Government's ' Going to uni ' website for more information.

How to Apply

Local Applicants
Information on application processes, including a downloadable form, is available on the web.

Applications should be submitted to the Melbourne Graduate School of Science at the following address:

Melbourne Graduate School of Science
Eastern Precinct
Faculty of Science
The University of Melbourne VIC 3010

Tel: (+ 61 3) 8344 6404

The closing date for applications for commencement in Semester One is 30 November and 31 May for commencement in Semester Two. Late applications may be accepted until 19 December for Semester One and 30 June for commencement in Semester Two.

International Applicants
Information on application processes, including either a downloadable or an online application form, is available on the web.

Applications should be submitted to the International Centre at the following address:

The General Manager
International Admissions, International Centre
The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia

Tel: (+61 3) 8344 4505

The closing date for applications for commencement in Semester One is 30 October and 30 April for commencement in Semester Two. Late applications may be accepted until 18 December for Semester One and 30 June for commencement in Semester Two.

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