OPT027: Anterior Segment - Clinical Examination and Management

This module provides you with detailed insight into anterior segment examination, imaging, diagnosis and management.

There will be illustrated reviews of the most commonly encountered anterior segment signs, discussions centred on differential diagnosis and clinical significance, as well as guidance on management strategies. Thereafter, you will be able to advise patients on their likely diagnosis and its implications.

You will be able to determine which patients may be managed in practice and which should be referred to secondary care ophthalmology. There will be time allocated specifically to latest approaches in keratoconus and keratoplasty. As a result, you will be in a stronger position to manage keratoconus and keratoplasty patients, providing important support to the care given by the ophthalmologist.

There are CPD points available on completion of applicable elements of the module.

This is a distance learning only module. There is no practical component to this module.

Start date	January
Duration	100 hours
Credits	10 credits
Prerequisites	None
Module tutors	Mario Saldanha
Tuition fees (2025/26)	£690 - Home students £1290 - International students
Tuition fees (2026/27)	£710 - Home students £1330 - International students
Module code	OPT027

Learning objectives

On completion of the module, you should be able to:

• Critically reflect a knowledge of complex, controversial and/ or contentious issues related to anterior segment conditions in optometric practice (ILO1)
• Evaluate and apply modern key concepts of examination and management of anterior eye conditions and be able to apply them to challenges within their own environment and practice (ILO2)
• Address and reflect on the benefit of inter-professional teamwork in the delivery of care to patients with anterior segment conditions, listening to and taking account of the views of others (ILO3)
• Explore, critically analyse, synthesise and evaluate evidence-based literature, guidelines and underpinning theories in the management of patients with anterior segment disorders and apply this knowledge to given scenarios, demonstrating how they would determine the most appropriate solutions for a patient accessing ophthalmic care (ILO4)

How the module will be delivered

The module is taught by way of online lectures (PowerPoint with audio) delivered through Learning Central, the University’s e-learning system with supporting resources and references supplied.

There are sessions of guided online learning using webinars and based on case discussions.

Discussion boards accessed via Learning Central will provide a platform for you to discuss any questions or queries that come up throughout the term with both the course tutors and your peers.

The module map which outlines key activities and dates is available via the module on Learning Central.

Syllabus content

• Taking a relevant ophthalmic history from patients with symptoms of external eye or anterior segment disease
• Anterior segment examination of patients with corneal/external eye disease
• Anterior segment imaging and diagnostic technology for patients with corneal/external eye disease
• Relevance of systemic medical conditions and other ocular findings in patients with corneal/external eye disease
• Interpretation and synthesis of clinical findings in corneal/external eye disease
• Clinical decision making for patients with corneal/external eye disease
• Formulation of a clinical management plan in patients with corneal/external eye disease
• Surgical techniques available to treat patients with corneal disease, with an emphasis on keratoconus patients and corneal diseases requiring transplantation
• The role of the optometrist in managing surgical patients in the context of keratoconus or corneal transplantation

Skills you will practise and develop

• Academic skills
• Studying and learning
• Reflective practice
• Knowledge application
• Effective communication
• Independent and critical thinking

How the module will be assessed

Formative assessment will enable you to assess your progress:

• You may submit one formative written piece of coursework and receive feedback.

Summative assessments which contribute to your module mark:

• Online Test (50%, approximately 2 hour duration): There is a MCQ test that will assess your comprehension and application across the entire syllabus which you take at the end of the semester (ILO1,2,3).
• Written Coursework (50%, ~2000 words): You will submit one written piece of coursework (ILO 2,4)

How to apply

Please contact our postgraduate team.