OPTO71311 Professional Certificate in Low Vision syllabus and aims
Credits: 15
Semester: 2
Aims:
- The Professional Certificate in Low Vision is designed to prepare healthcare professionals to provide a high standard of low vision care in a hospital or community setting including: goal setting; assessment of vision; provision of optical and electronic low vision aids; advice about lighting and other methods of enhancing vision; provision of information and advice; understanding the multi-agency approach to low vision rehabilitation in the UK; referral and signposting to other services including social services; re-appraisal of goals; and arrangement for follow up.
Learning Outcomes:
- an understanding of the terminology used to describe low vision and visual impairment
- an understanding of the epidemiology and demography of low vision in the UK
- an understanding of low vision certification and registration for individuals
- an understanding of the impact of low vision, including emotional impact, on an individual and their community
- an understanding of the different impact that chronic and acute eye conditions have on the individual
- an understanding of the importance of sensory substitution
- a detailed knowledge of the role, contact details and communications pathways of other professionals and organisations which are an essential part of multidisciplinary low vision service provision
- an awareness of other local clinical low vision services and referral pathways
- an ability to establish effective communication with individuals, their family, carers and with other organisations and professionals.
- an ability to apply learning to novel situations
- problem solving
- an ability to assess people with low vision
- an ability to determine magnification requirements and to prescribe, dispense and train in the use of electronic and optical low vision task appropriate devices
- an ability to establish effective communication with individuals, their family, carers and with other organisations and professionals
Coursework
Formative written assessments with feedback include a reflection on video of history-taking and a reflective case report. Formative practical assessments include a clinical skills OSCE, and a patient examination episode
Assessment:
The pass mark for the Professional Certificate in Low Vision is 50%
An analysis of low vision services and
facilities for the area local to the student (weighted 40%)
OSCE – 4 stations (3 x 15 and 1 x 30 minutes) (weighted 30%)
- History taking (double station – 30 minutes)
- Distance visual acuity and determining magnification
- Near word reading acuity and determining magnification
- Contrast sensitivity and central visual field (Amsler)
1.5 hours “Patient Interaction” Assessment and management of a low vision patient attending for a “first visit” (weighted 30%)
The OSCE candidate and assessor sheets can be found on BlackBoard, using the following link: