OPB557 Binocular Vision and Myopia Control

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, 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. Differentially diagnose accommodation and binocular vision disorders;
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 and industry professionals, in teams using digital technologies to research myopia topics and produce patient information tools.

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.

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 and development will be supported by lecture materials, links to resources, review questions, discussions, case study analysis and practical sessions.

These experiences are scaffolded to prepare you for each assessment. The myopia communication tool will allow you to collaborate with peers and with industry, on a clinical problem. The clinical skills assessment and final examination will ensure you have the introductory level skills and knowledge to work in this area.

Satisfactory performance in assessment items 2 and 3 is a condition for passing this unit. 

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Myopia Communication Tools

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.

An international industry expert in myopia will provide you with a project brief and requirements of the communication tool aimed at children with myopia and their families. You will each assume the role of optometrists and collaborate in groups to respond. You will develop an infographic for use in a myopia control specialty practice guided by the parameters and information provided by the industry expert.

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.  

This group task does not meet the criteria for automatic submission extension. The use of Gen AI is authorised in this assessment for information gathering, grammar proofreading/editing and development of the communication tool.

Assessment: Clinical skills assessment

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

Threshold Assessment:

For professional accreditation, students must be able to measure and manage binocular vision anomalies, consistent with the Entry-Level Competency Standards for Optometry.  To pass this unit students must show satisfactory performance on this assessment items which is a mark =>50%. Students will be eligible for one reattempt at the minimum pass level, only when their achieved mark is 40-49% for this assessment item. Students are advised to seek feedback on their performance from the unit coordinator prior to the reattempt. Students will not be eligible for a reattempt if their overall grade in the unit is a failing grade. Students will not be eligible for a reattempt if their overall grade in the unit is a failing grade. 

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.

Threshold Assessment:

For professional accreditation, students must be able to manage binocular vision anomalies, consistent with the Entry-Level Competency Standards for Optometry.  To pass this unit students must show satisfactory performance on this assessment items which is a mark =>50%. Students will be eligible for one reattempt at the minimum pass level, only when their achieved mark is 40-49% for this assessment item. Students are advised to seek feedback on their performance from the unit coordinator prior to the reattempt. Students will not be eligible for a reattempt if their overall grade in the unit is a failing grade. Students will not be eligible for a reattempt if their overall grade in the unit is a failing grade. 

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

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.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, 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 Clinical Sciences 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 Communication Tools

3: Patient Examination

1. 
   Relates to: Clinical skills assessment, End of Semester Examination

4: Diagnosis and Management

1. 
   Relates to: Clinical skills assessment
2. 
   Relates to: Clinical skills assessment, End of Semester Examination

Course Learning Outcomes

OP45 Bachelor of Vision Science

1. Apply scientific knowledge and core skills of vision science and optometry.
   Relates to: End of Semester Examination
2. Reflect and apply critical thinking, problem solving and analysis to generate optometric and vision science solutions in clinical and scientific settings.
   Relates to: End of Semester Examination
3. Conduct effective ethical, culturally safe, and evidence-based clinical and technical ocular assessments that include data collection and experimental protocols.
   Relates to: Clinical skills assessment
4. Employ effective communication technique/s using a range of oral, written and digital formats culturally and ethically responsive to the needs of diverse audiences and settings that meet professional standards.
   Relates to: Myopia Communication Tools
5. Practice as an inclusive, collaborative and reflective professional with capacity to develop resilience, interprofessionalism, and commitment to sustainability goals.
   Relates to: Clinical skills assessment