Successful candidates will demonstrate to the examiners that they have a detailed knowledge of anatomy relevant to the practice of ophthalmology. In particular, students must show in-depth knowledge of the anatomy of the eye, the visual pathways, the orbit and its contents including peri-orbital structures. Students are also expected to have an understanding of the embryology, maturation and normal ageing changes of the human eye as well as the head and neck including neuro-anatomy, histology and the use of diagnostic imaging as it pertains to the visual system. On completion of this unit of study the successful student will be able to (1) describe the normal anatomical organisation of the human eye, orbit and contents and head and neck in terms of cells, tissues, organs and systems, (2) describe the principal components of the human visual system and their function in detail and (3) describe how diagnostic imaging may be used in ophthalmic practice.

Successful candidates will demonstrate to the examiners that they have a detailed and comprehensive knowledge of optics relevant to the practice of ophthalmology. Particular emphasis will be placed on the topics of Physical, Geometrical, Physiological and Instrument Optics. On completion of this unit of study the successful student will be able to (1) describe the physical properties of light and lasers, (2) describe the geometrical principles of light and the laws governing lights interaction with materials and (3) describe the physiological optics of the human eye and how to test this.

This unit of study aims to provide candidates with the theoretical and practical foundations of the practice of refractive surgery (RS). Week 1 Overview of RS. Week 2 Ocular and systemic diseases . Week 3 Patient assessment and evaluation. Week 4 Corneal imaging. Week 5 Principles of Laser and technology. Week 6 Principles and practice of astigmatic surgery. Week 7 Principles and practice of PRK/LASEK. Week 8 Principles and practice of LASIK. Week 9 Principles and practice of PTK. Week 10 Prevention and management of corneal refractive complications. Week 11 Keratoconus and intracorneal ring segments. Week 12 Optics and biomechanics of the eye following RS and Week 13 The economics of refractive surgery.

This unit of study aims to provide candidates with the theoretical and practical foundations of the practise of refractive surgery (RS). Week 1 Evidence based medicine as applied to RS. Week 2 Phakic intraocular lenses. Week 3 Refractive aspects of cataract surgery. Week 4 Ethics of RS. Week 5 Management of post-keratoplasty and traumatic ametropia. Week 6 Biometry calculations in RS. Week 7 Combined corneal and lens surgery. Week 8 Surgical correction of presbyopia. Week 9 Management of adverse events in lens-based RS. Week 10 Complex case histories. Week 11 Prevention and management of corneal ectasia. Week 12 Laser systems. Week 13 Medico-legal aspects of RS

This unit of study aims to provide candidates with the practical experience and knowledge necessary to assess and perform refractive surgery. This is a mentor-based programme with candidates supervised in a number of clinical and laboratory environments. Emphasis is on pre-operative investigation, surgical skill and post-operative management. Candidates will be required to observe and perform intra- and extra-ocular surgical techniques relevant to refractive surgery. Candidates will rotate through a number of refractive surgical practices and observe refractive surgery taking place utilizing a number of refractive surgical systems. Further candidates will have to attend a number of wet lab sessions designed for the performing of refractive surgical techniques on artificial, animal or human eyes. A logbook of observed and performed surgeries will be kept and used for assessment.

Successful candidates will demonstrate to the examiners that they have a detailed and comprehensive knowledge of the theoretical and practical foundations of the practice of refractive surgery and that in their project they have integrated this knowledge with prior learning and experience. The dissertation may take one of two forms: a written output (report or formal academic composition) on work performed during the candidature from a supervised student project that contains between 8,000-20,000 words or a scientific paper that arises from a supervised student's project and has been submitted to a peer review journal for publication. The scientific paper however still needs to be embedded in a treatise with an expanded introduction and literature review as well as an expanded conclusion/discussion section. Additional methods and results not presented in the scientific paper should also be included. On completion of the dissertation units, the successful student will be able to: (1) Undertake a medical/scientific project and follow it to its completion. (2) Work constructively under the supervision of an ophthalmic supervisor. (3) Display scientific thinking and apply this to refractive surgery. (4) Attempt to publish their dissertation or learn how to publish their work.

Successful candidates will demonstrate to the examiners that they have a detailed and comprehensive knowledge of the theoretical and practical foundations of the practice of refractive surgery and that in their project they have integrated this knowledge with prior learning and experience. The dissertation may take one of two forms: a written output (report or formal academic composition) on work performed during the candidature from a supervised student project that contains between 8,000-20,000 words or a scientific paper that arises from a supervised student's project and has been submitted to a peer review journal for publication. The scientific paper however still needs to be embedded in a treatise with an expanded introduction and literature review as well as an expanded conclusion/discussion section. Additional methods and results not presented in the scientific paper should also be included. On completion of the dissertation units, the successful student will be able to: (1) Undertake a medical/scientific project and follow it to its completion. (2) Work constructively under the supervision of an ophthalmic supervisor. (3) Display scientific thinking and apply this to refractive surgery. (4) Attempt to publish their dissertation or learn how to publish their work.

Successful candidates will demonstrate to the examiners that they have a detailed and comprehensive knowledge of the theoretical and practical foundations of the practice of refractive surgery and that in their project they have integrated this knowledge with prior learning and experience. The dissertation may take on of two forms: a written output (report or formal academic composition) on work performed during the candidature from a supervised student project that contains between 8,000-20,000 words or a scientific paper that arises from a supervised student's project and has been submitted to a peer review journal for publication. The scientific paper however still needs to be embedded in a treatise with an expanded introduction and literature review as well as an expanded conclusion/discussion section. Additional methods and results not presented in the scientific paper should also be included. On completion of this unit of study, the successful student will be able to: (1) Undertake a medical/scientific project and follow it to its completion. (2) Work constructively under the supervision of an ophthalmic supervisor. (3) Display scientific thinking and apply this to refractive surgery. (4) Attempt to publish their dissertation or learn how to publish their work.