25. Refractive surgery

Graduate Diploma in Medicine (Refractive Surgery)

(GradDipMed(RefractSurg)) KF055

Master of Medicine (Refractive Surgery)

(MMed(RefractSurg)) KC075

Overview

Refractive surgery is an ever-expanding area within the field of ophthalmology, encompassing both laser and non-laser vision correction. This has traditionally been performed by surgeons in large private clinics, but in recent years has become accepted as part of mainstream ophthalmic care. Laser eye surgery is now the most frequently performed eye operation in Australia.

The Refractive Surgery program aims to equip students with knowledge of refractive surgery theory and practice, using distance learning complemented by a three-week placement in an accredited refractive surgical centre, including time spent in the wet lab at Sydney Eye Hospital. The program is offered jointly by the University of Sydney and the University of Otago, and is the first of its kind in any country. The lecturers include internationally recognised corneal and refractive surgeons.

Admission

Applicants must hold an MBBS from the University of Sydney or equivalent degrees, and either must be eligible to undertake a subspecialty fellowship in their final year of accredited training having completed all the requirements of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists or equivalent body, or must registered by their state, territory or country to practice ophthalmology. Applicants must have appropriate medical indemnity.

Structure

The graduate diploma is embedded in the master's degree (see the explanation of embedded degrees in chapter 8). The majority of the degree is in the form of distance learning.

Each of the following core units of study (Ophthalmic Anatomy, Ophthalmic Optics, Refractive Survery 1, Refractive Surgery 2 requires one semester of study to complete and is taught online. The method of assessment is based on assignments (3x2000 word assignments set every three weeks: 80%), problem-based learning modules and online participation (20%).

The Practical Refractive Surgery unit of study is offered twice a year. Students are required to attend a 3-week full-time course (3x5 days) held at accredited private refractive surgery centres.
Assessment will be based on an online surgical logbook (40%) and an observed structured clinical exam (60%).

The graduate diploma comprises five core units of study (see table on core units of study below and chapter 31 for unit of study details). The master’s degree comprises seven core units of study (see table on core units of study below and chapter 31 for unit of study details).

To qualify for the master’s degree with honours, students must obtain a weighted average mark of 70 per cent in all 48 credit points of coursework and successfully complete an additional 12 credit point research dissertation (ie 60 credit points of units of study in total), in which students undertake a supervised individual project in an area of interest and report the outcomes in a dissertation. Students are only able to enrol in the dissertation if they have achieved a weighted average mark of 70 percent in their first 24 credit points of coursework and have the permission of the course coordinator.

Refractive surgery core units of study

Further enquiries

Ms Eleanor Viney
Phone: +61 2 9382 7284     Fax: +61 2 9382 7318     Email:      Website: www.eye.usyd.edu.au