OPB557 Binocular Vision

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

Refractive errors, accommodation and binocular vision anomalies are among the most common vision problems confronting the optometrist. The understanding of the development of refractive errors and functioning of the binocular vision system are important bases for the examination of patients in a clinical setting and the subsequent management of anomalies in these areas. The ability to instigate myopia control strategies and binocular vision training are important roles of optometry.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Evaluate and differentiate refractive errors and formulate decisions on appropriate management;
2. Perform techniques appropriate to the investigation of myopia, accommodation and binocular vision disorders;
3. Identify and differentially diagnose accommodation and binocular vision disorders, including those due to abnormal visual development (e.g. strabismus and amblyopia)
4. Develop vision therapy programs, propose and implement management strategies, evaluate and revise management, communicate the diagnoses and management plans to patients and appropriately identify cases requiring referral for surgical intervention.
5. Collaborate effectively with peers in teams using digital technologies to research myopia topics and produce patient information.

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit will involve lectures, tutorials, case studies and practical sessions. Clinical methods in binocular vision assessment are introduced initially in a clinical environment where students act as both practitioner and patient. Your learning in practical sessions is supported by pre-recorded videos of your unit tutors demonstrating the clinical skills. You can access these videos, as well as other study materials and case examples as learning aides through the unit's Canvas page.

Skills and knowledge taught in the unit supports student development of the Optometry Australia entry-level competency standards for Optometry (2014) in the competency units 2. Communication and patient history 3. Patient Examination, 4. Diagnosis and management and 5 Health Information Management and the appropriate competency performance criteria and indicators within the competency framework.

The unit requires students to demonstrate satisfactory performance of a range of clinical skills critical to the practice of optometry in order to complete the units and progress through the course.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback on your understanding of the weekly binocular vision content will be provided through completion of weekly MCQs during binocular vision tutorials. You are encouraged to communicate with the unit tutors for feedback on clinical skills, and with the unit coordinator if you have any questions or concerns about the assessment items.

Assessment

Overview

Your learning development will be supported by case based examples, review questions and discussions during lectures, case studies and practicals.

Satisfactory performance in each of the assessment items is a condition for passing this unit. 

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Myopia

An infographic is a visual representation of information or data, e.g. as a chart or diagram. A well-designed infographic can help to simplify a complicated subject or turn an otherwise boring topic into an engaging experience. This is an inquiry-driven assessment piece, to both increase your understanding about myopia, and develop your generic critical thinking skills, teamwork, visual literacy and digital competency. You are responsible for the creation of new knowledge and a new tool that could be used in optometric practice. You should take the role of an optometrist tasked with developing information that is applicable to myopic children and their families. 

This assignment is eligible for extensions and the 48 hour late period.

Assessment: Practical

Clinical Skills Assessment. This will include the assessment of your ability to perform techniques in the investigation of accommodation and binocular vision anomalies.

Assessment: End of Semester Examination

This will focus on knowledge of the investigation and management of refractive error, accommodative and binocular disorders, and on clinical problem solving in these areas through case based examples and clinical problems.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Recommended text(s)

Scheiman, M. and Wick, B. (2014). Clinical Management of Binocular Vision (Fourth Edition). Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins

Risk Assessment Statement

This unit will involve practice of clinical techniques on fellow students. High standards of hygiene and safe practices will be required. You will be informed of relevant Standard Operating Procedures of the School of Optometry as they pertain to this unit.

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

Entry-Level Competency Standards for Optometry 2014

1: Professional Responsibilities

1. 
   Relates to: Myopia

3: Patient Examination

1. 
   Relates to: Practical, End of Semester Examination

4: Diagnosis and Management

1. 
   Relates to: Practical
2. 
   Relates to: Practical, End of Semester Examination

Course Learning Outcomes

OP45 Bachelor of Vision Science

1. Apply critical thinking and knowledge of vision science, ocular anatomy and clinical methods to generate solutions in clinical and scientific settings
   Relates to: End of Semester Examination
2. Apply clinical or technical skills to conduct a safe and effective assessment, data collection, experimental protocol
   Relates to: Practical
3. Articulate knowledge and problem solving to specialist and non specialist audiences through oral and written formats to standards expected by the profession
   Relates to: Myopia