OPT040 - Contact Lenses

This module improves knowledge and skills to enable you to provide an enhanced standard of contact lens care.

It is ideally suited to those who are looking to refresh their skills or improve confidence in different areas of contact lens practice. The syllabus enables you to learn about the design and manufacture of different contact lens types with a focus on contemporary lenses used for myopia management and complex fitting.

Additional translatable learning relates to content dedicated to lens fitting, management of complications (including dry eye disease) and presbyopia. The teaching and assessment for this module is delivered entirely online.

Start date	January
Duration	100 hours
Credits	10 credits
Prerequisites	None
Module tutors	Alison Ng
Tuition fees (2025/26)	£690 - Home students £1290 - International students
Tuition fees (2026/27)	£710 - Home students £1330 - International students
Module code	OPT040

Learning objectives

On completion of the module you should be able to:

• Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of lens design and manufacture for rigid lenses and hydrogel lenses and to know how to critically evaluate the fit of a range of lens designs (ILO1).
• Systematically approach the contact lens fitting process for those with regular or irregular astigmatism (including those with early keratoconus or post graft) and presbyopia (ILO2).
• Relate an informed understanding of how contact lenses can be used to control myopia via a detailed knowledge of key theories, concepts and terminologies that are relevant to this development (ILO3).
• Autonomously be able to identify, assess and manage the impact of contact lens complications on the anterior eye (including dry eye disease) and suggest approaches and effective solutions (ILO4).

How the module will be delivered

This is a distance learning only module.

This module is taught via online Xerte tutorials and lectures (PowerPoint with audio), delivered via Learning Central, the University’s e-learning system, with supporting resources and references supplied.

There is an introductory webinar, and 3 further webinar sessions of guided online learning.

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

Syllabus content

• Introduction to Contact Lenses: Design and manufacture of rigid lenses and hydrogel lenses
• Rigid Corneal Lens Fitting
• Soft Lens Fitting
• Managing Regular Astigmatism
• Managing Presbyopia
• Complex Lens Fitting
• Keratoconus
• Contact lenses for myopia control and orthokeratology
• Contact lens complications on the anterior eye including, but not limited to:
• Dry eye and contact lens discomfort
•  

Skills that will be practiced and developed

• Reflective practice
• Knowledge application
• Optometric techniques and practical skills
• Ethical, social and environmental awareness
• Independent and critical thinking
• Reflection and resilience
• Innovative, Enterprising and Commercial Awareness

How the module will be assessed

Formative assessment will enable you to assess your progress:

• You can assess your own progress throughout the course with a set of practise multiple choice questions and case scenarios. The mark for these does not count towards the final grade.

Summative assessments which contribute to your module mark:

• Online Exam 100% (Approx 2 hours): This incorporates a series of key feature recognitions and management case scenario assessments and will assess comprehension and application of the clinical management knowledge gained throughout the course (ILO 1-4).

How to apply

Please contact our postgraduate team.