OPT032: Glaucoma 3 (Advanced)

The aim of this module is to support your achievement of the College of Optometrists Professional Diploma in Glaucoma.

The module follows on from the Higher Certificate in Glaucoma and is the final module in the glaucoma series. You will extend your knowledge, skills and experience required to provide either a comprehensive community glaucoma service, or to work with a high degree of autonomy within a secondary care glaucoma sub-specialist clinic.

You will be equipped to make appropriate evidence-based management decisions in a wide range of glaucoma-related conditions, and will have a comprehensive knowledge of diagnosis and treatment, and the ability to detect clinical change.

This module takes TWO academic terms to complete.

Start date	September
Duration	Two academic terms
Credits	20 credits
Prerequisites	Successfully completion of OPT031: Glaucoma 2 or an equivalent module is a pre-requisite for beginning OPT032. Students must have the College of Optometrists Professional Higher Certificate in Glaucoma prior to beginning the College of Optometrists Diploma in Glaucoma.
Module tutors	TBC
Tuition fees (2025/26)	£1380 - Home students £2580 - International students
Tuition fees (2026/27)	£1420 - Home students £2660 - International students
Module code	OPT032

Professional Diploma in Glaucoma

This module is accredited by the College of Optometrists for the Diploma in Glaucoma. In order to obtain this award you must:

1. Complete a clinical placement (or already be working) in a glaucoma clinic, supervised by a mentor who is a Consultant Ophthalmologist sub-specialising in glaucoma.  It is recommended that you have worked for at least 3 years in a glaucoma service before starting to study for the Diploma in Glaucoma.
2. Record in an electronic logbook provided by the University your active involvement in at least 250 patients with a range of case complexities to include high risk, secondary and peri-operative glaucoma patients.  These patients are in addition to any previously submitted for the Higher Certificate.  Your logbook must be submitted by the end of the second semester.
3. Pass the summative assessments.

Learning objectives

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

• Undertake a comprehensive ophthalmic assessment of an extensive range of glaucoma case complexities including high risk, progressive, secondary and peri-operative conditions (ILO1).
• Differentially diagnose an extensive range of glaucoma related conditions including recommendations for investigating for potential non-glaucomatous causes of optic neuropathy or visual field loss (ILO2)
• Formulate management plans for an extensive range of glaucoma related conditions using IOP lowering medication, laser procedures and recommendations for surgical intervention, based on detailed knowledge of current management paradigms, evidence-based clinical judgement, and individual patient’s needs and preferences (ILO3).
• Explore, critically analyse, synthesise and evaluate research and clinical guidelines in glaucoma care, and apply this knowledge to your clinical practice (ILO4).
• Present and justify balanced and informed arguments, incorporating critical judgment and decision making in clinical scenarios and glaucoma practice (ILO5).
• Critically reflect on the benefit of inter-professional teamwork in the delivery of glaucoma care (ILO6).
• Engage with new ideas and technologies, building knowledge and experience to critically reflect on your professional development (ILO7).

How the module will be delivered

This module is delivered via online lectures, webinars, tutorials and supporting resources.  Your glaucoma clinic work is integral to the module and will allow you to develop skills needed for autonomous advanced glaucoma practice.  As well as day to day support from your clinic supervisors and mentor, you will take part in an additional individual online progress meeting with a glaucoma specialist optometrist tutor, and a presentation to peers online contact session with students and tutors. These will include case discussions and a review of your work to ensure you are making progress.  Discussions boards accessed via Learning Central will provide a platform for you to interact further with course tutors and your peers.

There are three online contact sessions. The first is a presentation-to-peers case discussion day, held in semester 1. The second and third are the online viva and written case analysis exams held during semester 2. Attendance is compulsory for all contact sessions.

Please contact pgoptom@cardiff.ac.uk for more information if you will need advance notice to schedule your attendance.

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

Syllabus content

• Examination of a patient with glaucoma or related condition including a comprehensive history
• Classification of the glaucomas
• Contemporary understanding of the pathogenesis of the glaucomas
• Laser and surgical interventions used for the treatment of OHT and the glaucomas
• The role of perimetry in the detection of clinical change in patients with OHT and glaucoma, including the use of contemporary statistical techniques
• Detection of disease progression
• Secondary causes of glaucoma, including clinical signs and the principals underlying the management of these conditions
• Managing ocular and systemic co-morbidity in patients with glaucoma and related conditions
• General principals underlying the management of people with glaucoma and related conditions
• The evidence base and clinical guidelines informing glaucoma care
• Selection of appropriate and individualised management options in a wide range of clinical scenarios
• Counselling patients about adherence to management plans and the impact on their quality of life
• Appropriate third sector sources of help.

Skills you will practise and develop

• Academic skills
• Reflective practice
• Knowledge application
• Optometric techniques and practical skills
• Effective communication
• Ethical, social and environmental awareness
• Independent and critical thinking
• Reflection and resilience
• Collaborative working

How the module will be assessed

Formative assessment will enable you to assess your progress:

• You will submit 1 compulsory formative written case report (Case 1) and discuss this at a one-on-one online progress meeting with a glaucoma specialist optometrist tutor during the module. The tutor will provide formative feedback and will review progress on your clinical placement and logbook.
• Presentation to peers: during semester 1, you will attend an online contact session at which you will present a short clinical case (Case 2) using PowerPoint to your student peers and course tutors. You will lead a discussion on the case and receive feedback on the case and its management.

Summative assessments which contribute to your module mark:

• Written assignments (20%): 1 summative written case report (Case 3; ILO 1-7).
• Online test (20%): Timed online clinical scenario written assessment (ILO 2,3,5).
• Viva (50%): A viva voce examination with two examiners on a previously submitted set of 4 extended case reports (Cases 4-7; ILO 1-7).

How to apply

Please contact our postgraduate team.