Contact Lenses 1, 4.5 credits

Passed results of at least 45 credits from the Study Programme in Optometry's semester 1 and 2.

Students who have failed their VIL (clinical training opportunity) after demonstrating serious deficiencies in understanding, skill, or professional attitude, and done this to the degree that client or patient safety or client/ patient/ employer trust for the healthcare have been jeopardised, will qualify for a new VIL opportunity only after completion of an individual action plan.

After the course, the student should be able to
1) show basic knowledge of production and material related to contact lenses and contact lens solution
2) describe and apply criteria for fitting of a soft spherical contact lenses including over refraction
3) describe and apply criteria for fitting of a soft toric contact lenses including over refraction
4) perform topography and interpret the result in relation to the contact lens fittings that are included in the course
5) put in and take out soft contact lenses on oneself alone and on other,
6) describe maintenance and give patient instructions related to soft contact lenses
7) identify, reason and reflect on issues of ethics, sustainable development and equal conditions.

In addition to the above the student should, in a level-suited optometry-, care- and scientific perspective, be able to
8) demonstrate broad knowledge about the disciplinary foundation of the field,
9) demonstrate broad knowledge and understanding within optometry, included knowledge of the disciplinary foundation of the optometry, knowledge of applicable methods in the area, advanced study within some part of the field and orientation in current research issues,
10) show ability to search, collect and reflect on information in a problem and to discuss phenomena, issues and situations critically.

Aim 8-10 should be seen in relation to the document "Vetenskaplig strimma Optikerprogrammet" ("Scientific streak of the optometry programme").

The course contains the following parts: Basic knowledge of production and material, related to contact lenses and contact lens solutions, repetition of contact lens related anatomy, physiology and fitting of soft spherical and toric contact lenses. Maintenance of soft lenses and patient instructions related to these lenses.
The fitting of a contact lens takes place in clinical training opportunity.

In addition to this the course is part of the scientific streak of the optometry programme. In relation to teaching of general scientific knowledge, the students continue to broaden their knowledge related to the scientific base of optometry, science and proven experience and scientific communication. They also develop their knowledge and understanding, skills and abilities, their judgement, 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 three modules:

The module includes VIL, portfolio and formative assessment of clinical proficiencies and patient care and a practical test in the form of fitting a soft contact lens.

The module includes theoretical understanding and renewal of the topic-specific contents of the course.

The module includes assignments in KI's virtual learning environment, the scientific streak and written assignments.

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

The course is examined in the following way:

Module 1, Clinical work, examines the learning outcomes 1 up to 7.
a) continuous examination of clinical proficiencies and patient care in connection with VIL (Fail/Pass)
b) compulsory portfolio according to instructions
c) practical test in the form of an alignment of soft contact lens including over refraction. The test is performed on patient based on existing vision screening (Fail/Pass)
d) compulsory seminars and demonstrations as per schedule

The module is given the grade Fail or Pass. The grade Pass requires Pass on examination assignment a) and c), and fulfillment of compulsory course elements.

Module 2, Theoretical understanding, examines the learning outcomes 1 up to 10.
a) written examination (Fail/Pass/Pass with distinction)
b) compulsory seminars and demonstrations as per schedule

The module is given the grade Fail, Pass or Pass with distinction. The grade Pass requires Pass on written examination and fulfillment of compulsory course elements. The grade Pass with distinction requires Pass with distinction on written examination, and fulfillment of compulsory course elements.

Module 3, Scientific development, examines the learning outcomes 1-10.
a) compulsory assignments in KI's virtual learning environment according to instructions
b) written assignments in the form of case studies (Fail/Pass)
c) compulsory seminars and demonstrations as per schedule

The module is given the grade Fail or Pass. The grade Pass requires Pass on examination assignment b), and fulfillment of compulsory course elements.

Course grade
The entire course is given the grade Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).
The grade Pass on the entire course requires Pass on all modules.
The grade Pass with distinction requires Pass on module 1 and 3, Pass with distinction on module 2.

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.

Limited access to VIL (clinical training opportunity)
Regarding VIL, the number of times a student has the right to participate/go through the course and thus be assessed on the same is not limited. However, participation in VIL will only be offered on the condition that there is a place available in the course.

Guidelines in case of failure
The examiner may, with immediate effect, interrupt a student's clinical placement (or equivalent) if the student demonstrates such serious deficiencies in knowledge, skills or attitude that patient safety or patient confidence in healthcare is at risk. If a clinical placement is interrupted in this way the student is deemed to have failed that element and to have used up one clinical placement opportunity. In such cases, an individual action plan should be set up stating which activities and tests are required before the student is qualified for a new clinical placement on the course. The number of times a student has the right to undergo activities and knowledge checks according to the individual action plan is limited to two times.

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.

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

Course evaluation takes place in accordance with KI's local guidelines. Compilation of the students' answers in course questionnaires and the course coordinator's analysis of these are published on KI's public course web.

Some teaching may be in English.