Course syllabus for Basic Optometry 2

Refraktionsmetodik 2

Essential data

Course code: 1OP090
Course name: Basic Optometry 2
Credits: 15
Form of Education: Higher education, study regulation of 2007
Main field of study: Optometry
Level: G1 - First cycle 1
Grading scale: Fail (U), pass (G) or pass with distinction (VG)
Department: Department of Clinical Neuroscience
Decided by: Finalized by: 2025-10-08, UN CNS
Decision date: 2025-10-08
Course syllabus valid from: Spring semester 2026

Specific entry requirements

Matematik 2a, 2b or 2c, Naturkunskap 2.

Outcomes

After the course, the student should be able to

  1. apply binocular/monocular refraction based on retinoscopy value and evaluate the reasonableness in relation to visus and medical history of the result
  2. apply refraction without objective start value
  3. describe, apply and interpret refraction and preliminary optometric tests and put the test results in relation to anamnes
  4. describe and give an account of contrast vision and relate result to different conditions
  5. describe and account for the preconditions and function of the binocular vision and foris and tropies - cause, occurrence, classification and related symptoms
  6. list and handle various types of multifocal glass and describe their properties
  7. apply instruments for measure the lens (focimeter) to verify all types of glass
  8. apply and interpret wavefront measurements
  9. reason about sustainable development as a concept and as an integrated (ecological, economic and social) perspective on social progress and man's interplay with nature - particularly from an optometric perspective
  10. discuss ethical aspects of vision and scientific methodology
  11. reflect on issues of ethics, sustainable development and equal opportunities
  12. reflect on her own and other professions' role in contributing to sustainable eye health care development. 

In addition to above the student should also, in an appropriate level, based on optometry, care and scientific perspective
13. show ability to review knowledge at a scientific level
14. show understanding about different scientific types of publication and about the disciplinary foundation of the field
15. show the ability to compare and put together relevant information from scientific literature and discuss new facts, phenomena, hypothesis and issues.

Aim 13-15 should be seen in relation to the document "Vetenskaplig strimma Optikerprogrammet" (Scientific Thread in Study Programme of Optometry).

Content

The course includes the following: phoropter, retinoscopy, contrast, luminanance, wavefront measuremets, different glass types, material- and instrument knowledge, refraction for different patient groups and continuation of preliminary tests, and binocular vision tests, test for suppression, fusion and stereoscopic vision, measurement of phoria and tropia and focimeter. Relevant statutes about e.g. confidentiality, medical records keeping and ethical aspects in care and science and sustainable development in an optometric health care perspective.

In addition to this the course is part of the teaching of general scientific knowledge within the program. In relation to teaching of general scientific knowledge, the students will continue to broaden their knowledge related to the scientific base of optometry, best practice and scientific communication. They will also develop his knowledge and understanding, his skills and abilities his judgement and his scientific thought - and attitude in relation to optometry and a lifelong learning. The teaching of general scientific knowledge is described in a separate document.

The course is divided in the following four modules:

Clinical work, 3 hp
Module 1 include written assignments, workshop, clinical work, and practically methodology in focimeter for attestation of all types of glass.

Scientific development, 3 hp
Module 2 includes group assignment and attendance on compulsory parts.

Practical skills, 5 hp
Module 3 includes the ability to carry out and reflect around practical examination methodology.

Theoretical understanding, 4 hp
Module 4 includes theoretical understanding of the course contents.

Teaching methods

The course includes self-study, demonstrations, test, laboratory sessions, theoretical overviews (in the form of e.g. lectures, seminars, flipped-classroom, case methods), practical/clinical exercises, portfolio and written assignments. The students are given a possibility to train practical skills but must take a great responsibility themselves.

Some course elements are compulsory, see heading "Examination".

Examination

The course is examined in the following way:

Module 1, Clinical work
a) practical test in focimeter, is graded U or G
b) compulsory portfolio according to instructions

The module is graded U or G. The grade G requires G on practical test as well as fulfillment of compulsory course elements according to instructions.

Module 2, Scientific development
a) compulsory seminars and demonstrations as per schedule

The module is graded U or G. The grade G requires fulfillment of compulsory course elements according to instructions.

Module 3, Practical skills
a) practical test in refraction, binocular vision tests, preliminary tests, is graded U or G

The module is graded U or G. The grade G requires G on practical test.

Module 4, Theoretical understanding
a) written examination, is graded U, G or VG
The module is given the same grade as the written exam, U, G or VG.

Course grade
The entire course is graded U, G or VG.
The grade G on the entire course requires G on all modules.
The grade VG requires G on module 1, 2 and 3, as well as VG on module 4.

Absence from or unfullfillment of compulsory course element
The examiner decides whether, and if so how, absence from or unfulfillment of compulsory course elements can be made up for. Study results cannot be reported until the student has participated in or fulfilled compulsory course elements, or compensated for any absence/ failure to fulfill in accordance with instructions from the examiner. Absence from or unfulfillment of a compulsory course element may imply that the student can not retake the element until the next time the course is offered.

Possibility of exception from the course syllabus' regulations on examination
If there are special grounds, or a need for adaptation for a student with a disability, the examiner may decide to deviate from the syllabus's regulations on the examination form, the number of examination opportunities, the possibility of supplementation or exemptions from the compulsory section/s of the course etc. Content and learning outcomes as well as the level of expected knowledge, skills and attitudes may not be changed, removed or reduced.

Transitional provisions

If the course is cancelled or goes through substantial changes, information about interim regulations will be stated here.

Other directives

The course may be given in parallel with the course Optics 2 (KTH) and is based on knowledge acquired at the course.

Some teaching may be in English.

This is a translation of the Swedish version (Refraktionsmetodik 2). In the event of any discrepancy between the versions, the Swedish version constitutes the official decision, and the Swedish wording will prevail.

Literature and other teaching aids

Mandatory literature

Benjamin, William J.; Borish, Irvin M.
Borish's clinical refraction
2nd ed. : St. Louis, Mo. : Butterworth-Heinemann/Elsevier, c2006. - xviii, 1694 p. ISBN: 0-7506-7524-1, LIBRIS-ID: 10580274

Scheiman, Mitchell; Wick, Bruce
**Clinical management of binocular vision: heterophoric, accommodative, and eye movement disorders **
Fourth edition. : Philadelphia, Pennsylvania : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2014 - ix, 722 pages ISBN: 9781451175257, LIBRIS-ID: 16337727

Recommended literature

Rabbetts, R. B.
Clinical Visual Optics
4:e upplaga : Oxford: Butterworths - 488s. : 2007
ISBN: 0-7506-8874-2

Elliott, David B.
Clinical procedures in primary eye care
3rd ed. : Edinburgh ;a New York : Elsevier/Butterworth Heinemann, 2007 - xii, 342 p. ISBN: 978-0-7506-8896-3, LIBRIS-ID: 11008167

Grosvenor, Theodore P.
Primary care optometry
5th ed. : St. Louis, Mo. : ButterworthHeinemann/Elsevier, c2007 - xiii, 510 p. ISBN: 0-7506-7575-6, LIBRIS-ID: 10438993

Steinman, Scott B.; Steinman, Barbara A.; Garzia, Ralph P.
Foundations of binocular vision: a clinical perspective
New York : McGraw-Hill Co., c2000. - xi, 345 p. ISBN: 978-0-8385-2670-5 (alk. paper), LIBRIS-ID: 11950260

Steinman, Scott B.; Steinman, Barbara A.; Garzia, Ralph Philip; Nygaard, Ragnhild
Foundations of binocular vision [Ljudupptagning]: a clinical perspective
Johanneshov : TPB, 2010 - 1 CD-R (29 tim., 5 min.) LIBRIS-ID: 12620973