Successful students can demonstrate to the examiners that they have knowledge of anatomy relevant to the practise of ophthalmology. The advanced material covered provides the students with an opportunity to explore the subject in depth which fulfills the requirements for a post-graduate level qualification. On completion of this unit of study students will be able to describe the normal anatomical organisation of the human eye, orbit and its contents as well as the head and neck, including the cells, organs and tissues. They will be able to describe the principle components of the human visual system and their function in detail and how diagnostic imaging may be used in ophthalmic practise.

Successful students can demonstrate to the examiners that they have a detailed and comprehensive knowledge of optics relevant to the practise of ophthalmology. Particular emphasis is placed on the topics of physical, geometrical, physiological and instrument optics. The advanced material covered provides the students with an opportunity to explore the subject in depth which fulfills the requirements for a post-graduate level qualification. On completion of this unit of study, students can describe the physical properties of light and lasers with particular reference to their interaction with the eye and instruments and they are able to describe the geometrical principles of light and the laws governing lights interaction with materials. They can outline the optical properties, limitations and image formation of common ophthalmic instruments and the design aspects that improve image quality and describe the physiological optics of the human eye and how it is evaluated and the normal changes of accommodation with age. They will understand the use of optical instruments for this purpose and can describe the process of objective and subjective refraction and how this impacts prescription of spectacles, contact lenses or the surgical management of ametropia.

Successful students can demonstrate to the examiners that they have a detailed and comprehensive knowledge of physiology relevant to the practise of ophthalmology. Particular emphasis is placed on the organisation, function, mechanism of action, regulation and adaptation of relevant structures and their component parts. Students are also expected to have an understanding of the maturation and normal ageing changes of the human eye. They must have a thorough understanding of the methods used to measure the activity of relevant physiological processes such as intraocular pressure, retinal electrical activity and visual acuity. The advanced material covered provides the students with an opportunity to explore the subject in depth which fullfills the requirements for a post-graduate level qualification. On completion of this unit of study, students are able to describe the normal physiological functioning of the human eye and nervous system and the principal physiological laws and phenomena that apply to these systems. They can also describe how these physiological processes are measured and the limitations of such tests.

Successful students can demonstrate to the examiners that they have a detailed and comprehensive knowledge of the practical aspects of the basic ophthalmic sciences. Particular emphasis is placed on the topics of Anatomy, Physiology and Optics. The advanced material covered provides the students with an opportunity to explore the subject in greater depth fulfilling the requirements for a post-graduate level qualification. On completion of this unit of study, students are expected to understand and perform the following objectives at a competent level relevant for the practice of clinical ophthalmology: (1) describe the anatomy, relations, vascular and nerve supply and functions of structures within the head and neck, orbit, eye and neuroanatomical structures, (2) correctly identify structures of the above on: a) anatomical dissections, bone specimens and neuroanatomical slices, b) anatomical diagrams / pictures / pots, c) radiographic images including ultrasound, Xray, CT and MRI /MRA scanning, Angiography, d) Ophthalmic investigations including anterior segment and fundus photography, OCT scanning, confocal imaging, fluorescein and ICG angiography, (3) describe and identify on histologic slides and images the features of normal anatomy of the eye, orbit, nervous system and head and neck structures, (4) describe and identify the features, timing of events and function of embryologic slides or images of the eye and developing embryo, (5) describe physiologic functioning of the human eye and nervous system. Specific objectives include: a) corneal cell physiology, corneal storage techniques and media types, b) lens physiology and recent advances in lens development and signalling pathways, c) intraocular pressure physiology with understanding of methods of taking IOP, limitations and benefits of each, d) physiology of the retina and optic nerve including phototransduction, cell communication pathways and electrophysiology, e) Physiology of pupil control and identification of conditions that cause pupil disorders and (6) correctly describe, conduct, outline indications, discuss the physiologic basis, interpret results, recognize limitations using the following Successful students can demonstrate to the examiners that they have a detailed and comprehensive knowledge of the practical aspects of the basic ophthalmic sciences. The advanced material covered provides the students with an opportunity to explore the subject in depth which fullfills the requirements for a post-graduate level qualification. On completion of this unit of study, students can describe the anatomy of the human eye, orbit, nervous system and head and neck. They can identify the anatomies on prosections, radiographic and magnetic resonance images. They can describe the physiologic functioning of the human eye and nervous system and correctly investigate and interpret results, recognise limitations and evaluate physiologic processes of the human eye and nervous system. They can describe the physical, physiological and geometric optics of light and its application to the human eye and correctly use ophthalmic instruments and describe their optical properties.

The treatise is a formal academic composition on work performed during the student's candidature from a supervised project that contains between 10,000-20,000 words. The format of the project may be of a systematic review of the literature, a case series, short clinical trial, survey or other project acceptable to the unit of study coordinator. On completion of this unit of study the successful student will be able to undertake a medical/scientific project and follow it to its completion, work constructively under formal academic supervision, display scientific thinking and apply this to ophthalmology, and attempt to publish their treatise or learn how to publish their work. Successful students can demonstrate to the examiners that they have a detailed and comprehensive knowledge of one area in the basic ophthalmic sciences or clinical ophthalmology.

This unit of study provides candidates with the practical experience and knowledge necessary to assess and perform oculoplastic surgery. This is a mentor-based programme with students supervised in a number of clinical and laboratory environments. Emphasis is on pre-operative investigation, surgical skill and post-operative management. Students are required to observe and perform and extra-ocular surgical techniques relevant to oculoplastic surgery. Students rotate through a number of oculoplastic surgical practices and observe oculoplastic surgery taking place using a number of different oculoplastic surgical systems. Further candidates will have to attend a number of wet lab sessions designed for practicing oculoplastic surgical techniques on artificial, animal or human eyes. A logbook of observed and performed surgeries will be kept and used for assessment. Surgical mentors will be allocated and provide the appropriate training in specific oculoplastic operations.