Measurement and treatment of common binocular problems, 3.5 credits

Passed results of at least 55 credits from The Optometry programme's semester 1 and 2 and at least 45 credits from semester 3 and 4.

Students who have failed their VIL/VFU (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 has been jeopardised, will qualify for a new VIL/VFU opportunity only after completion of an individual action plan.

After the course, the student should be able to

1. perform an orthoptic status
2. describe the most common binocular problems and prevalence and norms
3. apply different functions on the phoropter for measure binocular vision
4. account for visual rehabilitation for different types of binocular vision disorders
5. prescribe prism
6. describe cyclorefraction and perform a directed history of vision problems
7. demonstrate knowledge of the disciplinary research foundation of the field and awareness of current research
8. collaborate with relevant healthcare providers regarding terminology, referrals, treatment and follow-up (IPL)

The course illustrates how the orthoptist investigates, diagnoses and treats patients in the specialty of orthoptics. It focuses on the collaboration between optometrists and orthoptists, with a particular focus on the understanding of terminology, referral procedure and treatment of asthenopic disorders in adults and children.

Content and structure

• The orthoptist's way of working
• Diagnostics and treatment of vision problems
• Relevant research
• School screening
• Clinical demonstrations forms

The course includes lectures, exercises and demonstrations, as well as problem-oriented study elements. Group work with patient cases may occur.

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

The course is examined in the following way:

a) written examination, is graded U (Fail) or G (Pass)
b) compulsory quiz
c) compulsory written assignment
d) compulsory participation in VIL

The course is graded U or G. The grade G requires G on examination a, as well as fulfillment of compulsory course elements according to instructions.

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.

Guidelines in case of failure of VIL/VFU
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.

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 substantial changes, information about interim regulations will be stated here.

Course evaluation takes place according to guidelines established by Karolinska Institutet. 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.