Ophthalmology MSc

Module Aims
To develop a comprehensive understanding of the anatomical, physiological, and pharmacological foundations underpinning ophthalmic practice and to enable the critical application of diagnostic tools and clinical reasoning in assessing common ophthalmic presentations.

Module Content

• Ocular Anatomy and Visual Pathways: Clinical Correlation
• Principles of Optics, refractive errors and contact lenses in clinical practice
• Comprehensive Ophthalmic Assessment: History-Taking and Examination Skills
• Pharmacology and Therapeutics in Everyday Ophthalmic Care
• Diagnostic Technologies: From Basic to Advanced Investigations
• Integrated Clinical Decision-Making: Common Presentation Scenarios

Learning Outcomes

1. Exhibit an advanced understanding of ocular anatomy, visual pathways, and the physiological principles of refractive errors, as well as the pharmacological principles relevant to ophthalmic care, in order to critically contextualise clinical decision-making.
2. Critically analyse clinical presentations of common ophthalmic conditions using a structured approach to history-taking, ocular examination, and diagnostic technologies, integrating anatomical, physiological, and pharmacological knowledge for accurate assessment and management.
3. Apply advanced interpersonal and professional communication skills to effectively engage with multidisciplinary teams, ensuring the collaborative management of patients with ophthalmic conditions, while maintaining a patient-centred approach across diverse healthcare settings.
4. Employ creativity and reflective practice in formulating management strategies for complex ophthalmic conditions, integrating both innovative and evidence-based approaches to enhance patient care within diverse clinical contexts.

Module Aims
To equip learners with advanced knowledge and clinical reasoning skills for diagnosing and managing anterior segment disorders, including corneal, conjunctival, lens, and intraocular pressure-related pathologies.

Module Content

• Red Eye: Differential Diagnosis and Management Approaches
• Corneal Infections, Inflammatory eye conditions and transplants
• Dry Eye Disease and Ocular Surface Disorders
• Cataract Assessment and Perioperative Management
• Glaucoma in Primary Care: Detection and Monitoring
• Glaucoma Treatment: Medical, Laser and Surgical Approaches

Learning Outcomes

1. Exhibit advanced knowledge of the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and management strategies of anterior segment disorders, including corneal infections, dry eye disease, cataracts, and glaucoma, by synthesising relevant anatomical, physiological, and pharmacological principles.
2. Critically analyse complex clinical presentations of anterior segment disorders by integrating diagnostic findings, patient history, and clinical examination results, enabling advanced decision-making in management plans for conditions such as cataract, glaucoma, and ocular surface disorders.
3. Apply effective communication and collaborative skills within multidisciplinary teams to support the diagnosis and clinical decision-making processes related to anterior segment disorders across a variety of healthcare settings.
4. Integrate reflective practice and innovation in developing management strategies for anterior segment conditions, integrating emerging research, new technologies, and best practices to improve patient outcomes in diverse clinical environments.

Module Aims
To provide a critical understanding of posterior segment pathologies, enabling students to integrate imaging, systemic considerations, and evolving therapies for the management of retinal and optic nerve disorders.

Module Content

• Diabetic Eye Disease: Screening, Detection and Management
• Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Definition, diagnosis and management including gene therapy
• Retinal Vascular Disorders: Recognition and management
• Vitreoretinal Interface Disorders and surgical management
• Posterior Segment disease: Manifestations of Systemic Disease
• Managing Patients with Progressive Vision Loss: from poster segment disease

Learning Outcomes

1. Exhibit an advanced understanding of the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and management strategies for posterior segment disorders, including diabetic eye disease, age-related macular degeneration, retinal vascular disorders, and vitreoretinal interface disorders, with consideration of systemic implications.
2. Critically analyse complex clinical presentations of posterior segment disorders using advanced diagnostic imaging, patient history, and clinical examination findings, while incorporating evolving therapeutic approaches and the systemic context of the conditions.
3. Apply advanced communication and teamwork skills in multidisciplinary settings to facilitate shared learning, promote understanding of complex posterior segment conditions, and support the integration of diverse therapeutic approaches in the context of progressive vision loss.
4. Critically appraise and integrate innovative diagnostic tools, evolving therapies, and research findings to inform the design of management strategies for posterior segment disorders, enhancing clinical outcomes in diverse practice settings.

Module Aims
To enable learners to identify and manage disorders affecting ocular adnexa, binocular vision, and neuro-ophthalmic function, and to explore the role of visual rehabilitation and low vision support in improving patient quality of life.

Module Content

• Eyelid Disorders and Periocular Abnormalities: Assessment and Management
• Orbit and systemic disease
• Lacrimal System: Diagnosis, Investigation and Management
• Binocular Vision Disorders and Adult Strabismus
• Neuro-ophthalmic Emergencies in Primary Care Settings
• Visual Rehabilitation and Low Vision Aid and Support Strategies

Learning Outcomes

1. Exhibit an advanced understanding of the pathophysiology, assessment, and management strategies for ocular adnexal disorders, including eyelid abnormalities, lacrimal system diseases, and orbital pathologies, in the context of systemic health and functional visual disorders.
2. Critically evaluate diagnostic findings from clinical examination, imaging, and systemic investigations to form management plans for patients with ocular adnexal disorders, binocular vision dysfunctions, and neuro-ophthalmic emergencies, considering the complexities of multi-system involvement.
3. Apply advanced interpersonal and communication skills within multidisciplinary teams to support collaborative care for patients with ocular adnexal and functional visual disorders, while also contributing to visual rehabilitation and low vision aid strategies to enhance patient quality of life.
4. Employ reflective practice and creative problem-solving in the design of personalised management strategies for patients with ocular adnexal and functional visual disorders, integrating innovative diagnostic approaches and low vision rehabilitation techniques to improve patient outcomes.

Module Aims
To examine the ophthalmic needs of diverse populations, including children, the elderly, and individuals in occupational or global health settings, and to critically evaluate strategies for prevention, screening, and care delivery.

Module Content

• Paediatric Eye Examination and Common Childhood Eye Disorders
• Ocular Trauma Management and Prevention Strategies
• Managing Eye Conditions in the Elderly: Multimorbidity Considerations
• Occupational Eye Health and Environmental Eye Disorders
• Infectious and Inflammatory Eye Disease: Global Perspective
• Community Eye Health Screening and Preventive Ophthalmology

Learning Outcomes

1. Articulate an advanced understanding of the key ophthalmic conditions and specific management strategies for special populations, including paediatric, geriatric, occupational, and global health settings, with a focus on multimorbidity, preventative screening, and care delivery.
2. Critically evaluate the epidemiology, risk factors, diagnostic approaches, and treatment options for ophthalmic conditions in special populations, considering the complexities of multimorbidity, age-related changes, and environmental or occupational factors.
3. Apply advanced communication and collaborative skills in multidisciplinary settings to manage ophthalmic care for diverse populations, integrating prevention, screening, and treatment strategies while ensuring patient-centred care and effective team collaboration.
4. Critically appraise and integrate emerging research, technologies, and community-based interventions to develop innovative strategies for screening, prevention, and management of ophthalmic conditions in special populations.

Module Aims
To synthesise advanced clinical competencies with emerging technologies and leadership principles, enabling learners to contribute to service innovation, quality improvement, and ethical excellence in ophthalmic care.

Module Content
Ophthalmic Emergencies: Triage, Referral and Management Pathways
Surgical Decision-Making and Post-Operative Care
Digital Health Technologies and Teleophthalmology Applications
Collaborative Care Models in Ophthalmology
Quality Improvement and Patient Safety in Ophthalmic Services
Professional Ethics and Clinical Leadership in Eye Care

Learning Outcomes

1. Exhibit an in-depth understanding of the key principles and practices in ophthalmic emergencies, surgical decision-making, postoperative care, and the integration of digital health technologies in clinical practice.
2. Critically analyse complex ophthalmic clinical scenarios, integrating patient safety protocols, quality improvement initiatives, and collaborative care models to enhance decision-making in ophthalmic emergencies and postoperative care.
3. Apply leadership, ethical principles, and collaborative care models within multidisciplinary teams and drive quality improvement initiatives in ophthalmic practice, demonstrating a proactive approach to service innovation and patient-centered care.
4. Integrate innovation and creativity in the use of digital health technologies and teleophthalmology applications, while contributing to the advancement of ophthalmic services through evidence-based practice and strategic service development.

Aims of the module:
To prepare students for an independent research-based project by developing skills in selecting, appraising, discriminating, using evidence and appropriate research/investigative methods to address relevant topics for investigation.

Synopsis of the module content:

• Quantitative Studies
• Statistical Analysis Interpretation
• Interpreting the Evidence
• Meta-analysis and Systematic Reviews
• Qualitative Studies
• Evidence Appraisal: Interpreting, Weighing and Synthesizing the Evidence
• Audit, Governance and Quality Improvement, Health Economics
• Preparing a Research Proposal: Research Committees, Consent, Ethics, Probity and Literature Review

Following the research methods, students will submit a professional project proposal for their chosen topic, this includes a proposal form and ethics application. Students are given a 4-week period after the research methods to complete this.

Students will then create a piece of work based upon a specific subject-related project relevant to the student’s practice. The students will have a further 24-weeks to complete this. This project may comprise:

• Systematic literature review and appraisal of the evidence
• Audit of non-patient data/organisational audit
• Review and implementation of evidence-based practice
• Literature review and qualitative or quantitative research proposal
• Case(s)-based and quality of service review with critical appraisal
• Case report, review of literature and organisational assessment
• Secondary data analysis

Learning outcomes:

1. Critically analyse and interpret research to assess its application to delivery/service development.
2. Critically appraise different methodological approaches and tools used to answer research questions in your field of practice.
3. Design and undertake a professional project related to your field of practice in order to produce an extensive piece of literature which may be suitable for peer-reviewed publication.
4. Create evidence-based recommendations to add to the knowledge base of your subject area.
5. Develop a critical understanding of the interrogation of academic literature.
6. Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of ethical considerations in the performance of research.
7. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of research methodologies in quantitative and qualitative research.
8. Demonstrate critical evaluation skills enabling an in-depth critique of the academic literature.
9. Demonstrate the ability to create academic work of a publishable standard.
10. Evaluate ethical considerations in research and the process of engagement with ethical committees.