Orthoptics BSc (Hons)

Module details Programme Year One

In the first year, a wide range of factual knowledge and basic clinical skills are developed. The whole of Semester One is spent in the University. This enables the students to develop core knowledge and skills and, more specifically, the knowledge required to orthoptic practice in profession-specific modules to prepare them for the professional practice placement observation week occurring prior to the second semester. During the first year, students will learn about the basic principles of eye movement systems and binocular vision and be able to undertake essential orthoptic assessments.

Compulsory modules

• Integrated Professional Studies (communication and Study Skills for Orthoptists) (ORTH104) Level 1 Credit level 7.5 Semester First Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 0:100 Aims
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  To provide the student with the opportunity to develop:

  An insight into professional communication skills and appreciate the need

  and circumstances when modification of communication is necessary.

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  ​Appropriate study skills for a range of academic work

Learning Outcomes ​

​Upon successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

Demonstrate the acquisition of appropriate verbal and non-verbal behaviour and communication skills related to the context of professional practice

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Recognise the need to adapt communication skills for diverse and specific patient groups

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Demonstrate the effective  use of study skills

• Orthoptic Professional Studies 1.1 (ORTH137) Level 1 Credit level 30 Semester First Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 35:65 Aims

• To provide an introduction to the basic principles of orthoptics which relate to the basic clinical examinations performed on patients with orthoptic disorders.

• To provide an introduction to professionalism, healthcare ethics, diversity and equality

Learning Outcomes

Describe the basic principles of visual function, eye movements and binocular vision.

​Appropriately examine aspects of visual function and ocular motility.

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Describe how professionalism, ethics, diversity and equality relate to clinical practice.
• Extended Professional Studies 1.1 (ORTH138) Level 1 Credit level 7.5 Semester First Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 100:0 Aims
• To informthe student of knowledge and ensure understanding of physical and geometricoptics including thick and thin optical lenses that are fundamental toorthoptic practice​

• To introduce the student to basic statistics ​

Learning Outcomes Explainthe fundamental principles of physical optics​ ​

​Explain the principle of geometric optics including reflection and refraction ​

Explain the optical principles of thin and thick lenses ​

Explain the different types of data and how data is plotted and summarised as descriptive statistics ​

• Extended Professional Studies 1.1 (ORTH139) Level 1 Credit level 15 Semester First Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 50:50 Aims

• This module aims to introduce the student to general human anatomy and physiology of the human body with the main emphasis on the ocular system (e.g. visual pathway and extraocular muscles)

• The students will develop an understanding of the fundamental concepts of childhood development from the embryonic stage to infancy including the principles of genetics and modes of inheritance.

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Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of human anatomy and relevant major organ systems

Describe the anatomy and physiology of the human ocular system, visual pathway and extraocular muscles.​

Explain the devlelopment of the embryo to week 4 subsequently focussing on the development of eye and brain including the influence of genes.​

Demonstrate an understanding of the developmental milestones within the first decade of life.

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• Extended Professional Studies 1.2 (ORTH141) Level 1 Credit level 15 Semester Second Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 60:40 Aims

  The module seeks to provide the student with the appropriate knowledge of professionalism and health care ethics that are relevant to clinical practice, and promote an understanding of the practical application of behavioural science theory.

  Learning Outcomes

  ​Recognise and understand the impact of patients learning about their health conditions and health behaviours.

  ​Demonstrate an understanding of behavioural science theory and its application to Orthoptic professional practice.

  Identify how psychology and sociology inform an understanding of health, illness and health care​

  ​Understand and describe the ethical and professional issues related to health care.

• Extended Professional Studies 1.2 (ORTH142) Level 1 Credit level 15 Semester Second Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 100:0 Aims

  This module aims to develop the knowledge and understanding of the normal development and structure of the eye, delivered in semester 1, with an introduction to a range of common ophthalmic problems, including the causes and the disease processes. The students will learn about both paediatric and adult conditions and the process of detection and diagnosis.

  Learning Outcomes

  Describe the abnormal embryological developments of the eye

  ​Identify common ophthalmic clinical diagnoses affecting both the anterior and posterior segments

  ​Describe the genetic development or pathological process of common ophthalmic disorders.

  ​Describe the principles of screening for medical conditions

Programme Year Two

In the second year, the students learn to apply the knowledge gained in first year to a wide range of clinical scenarios. Students will continue to develop their clinical skills at the university and on clinical placement.

Throughout the second year, students will also learn essential principles for understanding and undertaking research, with the opportunity to undertake an orthoptic based clinical research project.

Compulsory modules

• Orthoptic Professional Studies 2.1 (ORTH237) Level 2 Credit level 30 Semester First Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 40:60 Aims

• The module develops the student''s knowledge and understanding of concomitant strabismus and amblyopia from OPS1.2.

• To introduce the student to incomitant strabismus with emphasis on the aetiology, investigation and management of myogenic and mechanical strabismus.

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Learning Outcomes

Discuss the investigation and clinical findings of concomitant strabismus

Discuss the investigation and the application of management options to amblyopia.​

Demonstrate knowledge and an understanding of the investigation of incomitant disorders.​

Demonstrate knowledge and an understanding of the significance of the aetiology, investigation, findings and management of mechanical and myogenic disorders.​

• Integrated Professional Studies 2.1 (ORTH238) Level 2 Credit level 15 Semester First Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 30:70 Aims

• To develop understanding of experimental design and statistics related to healthcare and medicine. 

• ​To develop skills in critical review of literature

Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of research design and process.

Demonstrate the ability to interpret statistical data and analysis​.

​Appraise scientific method and interpret results.

• Extended Professional Studies 2.1 (ORTH239) Level 2 Credit level 15 Semester First Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 100:0 Aims

  In this module the students will build on their basic knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the eye and surrounding structures. Students will use this knowledge and apply it to the types of paediatric and adult ophthalmic disorders that an orthoptist may encounter.

  Learning Outcomes

  Be able to describe the detailed anatomy of the skull, orbit and osteology of the skull.

  Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the aetiology and characteristics of common paediatric and adult ophthalmic disorders.

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  Be able to apply knowledge and understanding of common ophthalmic disorders to differentially diagnose conditions.

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• Orthoptic Professional Studies 2.2 (ORTH240) Level 2 Credit level 30 Semester Second Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 50:50 Aims

• The module aims to extend the student''s knowledge of concomitant strabismus from Orthoptic Professional Studies 2.1 with an emphasis on management of these conditions.

• The module aims to extend the student''s knowledge of incomitant strabismus from Orthoptic Professional Studies 2.1. The emphasis is on the aetiology, investigation and management of neurogenic conditions which affect the visual and oculomotor systems.​

Learning Outcomes

To analyse and apply surgical and non-surgical management options for concomitant strabismus.

To analyse the aetiology, investigation, and clinical findings of neurogenic incomitant strabismus and apply appropriate management options for these conditions.

​To distinguish the differential diagnosis of neuro-ophthalmological conditions and relate these to the aetiological causes, investigative findings and relevant neuro and ocular anatomy .

​​​​To examine the significance of the clinical investigations for the differential diagnosis of neurogenic, mechanical and myogenic deviations and their impact on management.

• Integrated Professional Studies (ORTH241) Level 2 Credit level 15 Semester Second Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 80:20 Aims
  1. This module builds on the knowledge gained in the first semester module in research methods by undertaking a research project. This project will enable students to develop their skills in experimental design and the acquisition, handling and interpretation of data.
  2. One other key element of research is the ability to evaluate published literature, so this modules aims to develop the students skills in critical appraisal within the context of the Orthoptic related literature.
  Learning Outcomes

  Demonstrate the ability to design and execute a research project

  Demonstrate the ability to interpret research findings