14. Orthoptics
Courses of study
A combined undergraduate/postgraduate course and a range of postgraduate courses are currently available.
Since 2007, a professional qualification consisting of a four year combined program, the Bachelor of Health Sciences/Master of Clinical Vision Sciences has been offered to replace the previous Bachelor of Applied Science (Orthoptics) course. The two year graduate entry Master of Orthoptics course is offered to students who have completed a bachelor’s degree and who wish to gain eligibility to practise as orthoptists. This program is available only in on-campus mode. For information on the combined degree and the graduate entry program, see Chapter 26.
Research masters and PhD degrees are designed for students who wish to undertake research in an area of vision sciences. Research areas include binocular vision, clinical assessment, development of refractive error, eye movements, occupational vision standards, public health and vision, stroke and head injury rehabilitation and vision and driving. See Chapter 31 for further information on the research degrees offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Professional information
Orthoptists are health professionals whose expertise includes investigation and management of ocular muscle dysfunction, the performance of special procedures for investigating ocular and neurological pathology, consultancy (particularly in the multi-disciplinary care of patients) and effective screening of vision problems before secondary complications occur. Orthoptic education places special emphasis on the management of the very young and the elderly, as these are groups in which problems of vision are of particular importance. Orthoptists are primarily employed within the major hospitals, in private ophthalmic practices and specialist clinics. The scope of professional practice is increasing as more graduates find employment in the wider community where expertise in visual health is required such as in rehabilitation settings, early childhood centres and with the aged. Graduates from the combined degrees in Bachelor of Health Sciences/Master of Clinical Vision Sciences and Master of Orthoptics will be eligible for registration with the Australian Orthoptic Board, membership of the Orthoptic Association of Australia and Orthoptic Associate membership of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.
Further information
Telephone: +61 2 9351 9161
Website: www.fhs.usyd.edu.au/
No first year intake from 2007
The combined degrees of Bachelor of Health Sciences/Master of Clinical Vision Sciences replace the previous Bachelor of Applied Science (Orthoptics) course. See Chapter 26 for more information about the combined degrees.
Honours
Students are advised to contact the course coordinator for specific information related to the Orthoptics honours program.
Course outline
The course outlines for the Bachelor of Applied Science (Orthoptics) pass and honours are presented in Tables 14.1 and 14.1.1. Units of study are described in Chapter 19.
Table 14.1: Bachelor of Applied Science (Orthoptics) Pass
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course code SH099: Pass course; full-time, 4 years | |||
Year 4 (last offered in 2009) |
|||
Semester 1 |
|||
| BACH4047 Developing a Research Project |
4 |
Note: Department permission required for enrolmentin the following sessions:Semester 2, |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| ORTH4020 Neurological Eye Movement Disorders |
5 | A Anatomy and physiology of the visual pathway with emphasis on the motor pathway; ORTH3054 Orbital and Restrictive Conditions P ORTH3055 Instrumentation III |
Semester 1 |
| ORTH4021 Orthoptics in Adult Practice |
4 | A Relevant ocular anatomy and systemic disease processes |
Semester 1 |
| ORTH4022 Orthoptics in Ophthalmic Practice |
4 | Semester 1 |
|
| ORTH4023 Professional Studies |
5 | A All ocular motility/professional units of study |
Semester 1 |
| ORTH4024 Rehabilitation for Vision Impairment |
3 | A Relevant ocular anatomy and systemic disease processes |
Semester 1 |
| SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 25 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Semester 2 |
|||
| ORTH4026 Clinical Project |
3 | A Principles of research project design |
Semester 2 |
| ORTH4035 Professional Practice IVA |
8 | P ORTH3054 Orbital and Restrictive Conditions, ORTH3055 Instrumentation III, ORTH3062 Professional Practice IIIA, ORTH3063 Professional Practice IIIB, ORTH4020 Neurological Eye Movement Disorders, ORTH4023 Professional Studies Note: Department permission required for enrolmentin the following sessions:Semester 1, |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| ORTH4036 Professional Practice IVB |
8 | P ORTH3054 Orbital and Restrictive Conditions, ORTH3055 Instrumentation III, ORTH3062 Professional Practice IIIA, ORTH3063 Professional Practice IIIB, ORTH4020 Neurological Eye Movement Disorders, ORTH4023 Professional Studies Note: Department permission required for enrolmentin the following sessions:Semester 1, |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| ORTH4037 Professional Practice IVC |
4 | P ORTH3054 Orbital and Restrictive Conditions, ORTH3055 Instrumentation III, ORTH3062 Professional Practice IIIA, ORTH3063 Professional Practice IIIB, ORTH4020 Neurological Eye Movement Disorders, ORTH4023 Professional Studies Note: Department permission required for enrolmentin the following sessions:Semester 1, |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 23 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Table 14.1.1: Bachelor of Applied Science (Orthoptics) Honours
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course code SH119: Honours course; full-time, 4 years | |||
Year 4 (last offered in 2009) |
|||
Semester 1 |
|||
| ORTH4020 Neurological Eye Movement Disorders |
5 | A Anatomy and physiology of the visual pathway with emphasis on the motor pathway; ORTH3054 Orbital and Restrictive Conditions P ORTH3055 Instrumentation III |
Semester 1 |
| ORTH4021 Orthoptics in Adult Practice |
4 | A Relevant ocular anatomy and systemic disease processes |
Semester 1 |
| ORTH4022 Orthoptics in Ophthalmic Practice |
4 | Semester 1 |
|
| ORTH4023 Professional Studies |
5 | A All ocular motility/professional units of study |
Semester 1 |
| ORTH4027 Professional Practice IVHA |
3 | P ORTH3064 Professional Practice IIIHA, ORTH3065 Professional Practice IIIHB, ORTH3054 Orbital and Restrictive Conditions, ORTH3055 Instrumentation III |
Semester 1 |
| ORTH4028 Research Report A |
3 | Semester 1 |
|
| SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Semester 2 |
|||
| ORTH4030 Research Report B |
9 | Semester 2 |
|
| ORTH4045 Professional Practice IVHBA |
5 | P ORTH3064 Professional Practice IIIHA, ORTH3065 Professional Practice IIIHB, ORTH3054 Orbital and Restrictive Conditions, ORTH3055 Instrumentation III, ORTH4027 Professional Practice IVHA, ORTH4020 Neurological Eye Movement Disorders, ORTH4023 Professional Studies |
Semester 2 |
| ORTH4046 Professional Practice IVHBB |
5 | P ORTH3064 Professional Practice IIIHA, ORTH3065 Professional Practice IIIHB, ORTH3054 Orbital and Restrictive Conditions, ORTH3055 Instrumentation III, ORTH4027 Professional Practice IVHA, ORTH4020 Neurological Eye Movement Disorders, ORTH4023 Professional Studies |
Semester 2 |
| ORTH4047 Professional Practice IVHBC |
5 | P ORTH3064 Professional Practice IIIHA, ORTH3065 Professional Practice IIIHB, ORTH3054 Orbital and Restrictive Conditions, ORTH3055 Instrumentation III, ORTH4027 Professional Practice IVHA, ORTH4020 Neurological Eye Movement Disorders, ORTH4023 Professional Studies |
Semester 2 |
| SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Clinical education comprises approximately one third of the course. Most of this occurs off-campus within the eye clinics in the public hospitals and in private practices sponsored by ophthalmologists; approximately 50 locations in all. Clinical experiences are supported by extensive online learning and specialised clinical tutorials. Clinical supervision is provided by clinicians and designated clinical supervisors. Opportunities exist for students to elect to do a country, interstate or overseas placement depending on availability.
It is a requirement that all students obtain a certificate of competency in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). St John's Ambulance courses on CPR are available through the metropolitan and country areas and are also offered by the Student Guild on campus at scheduled times. Prior to clinical attendance students must also have a criminal record check and be fully vaccinated as per Department of Health requirements.
Clinical practice dates
The clinical blocks for 2009 are scheduled as follows:
Year 4: July–November
Uniforms
Prior to attendance at clinical placement, students are required to purchase a clinical uniform and clinical equipment which they will be advised about on entry to the course.