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.

This unit of study provides candidates with the theoretical and practical foundations of the practise of cataract and refractive surgery. Successful students can demonstrate to the examiners that they have a detailed and comprehensive knowledge of corneal refractive surgery. On completion, successful students are able to: (1) Describe how an excimer laser and femtosecond laser work, (2) Describe how PRK, LASIK and SMILE laser are performed, (3) Demonstrate knowledge of the theory behind the lasers involved, (4) Describe indications and contraindications for the above procedures, (5) Understand the importance of corneal imaging in refractive surgery, (6) Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of systemic disease on refractive surgery patients, (7) Describe the management of corneal related refractive surgery complications, (8) Describe the causes and treatments of corneal ectasia, (9) Discuss lens based approaches to refractive surgery, (10) Have an understanding of the management of lens based related refractive surgery adverse events.

This unit of study aims to provide candidates with the theoretical and practical foundations of the practise of cataract and refractive surgery. Successful candidates will demonstrate to the examiners that they have a detailed and comprehensive knowledge of corneal and intraocular refractive surgery. Candidates should be able to: (1) Describe how an excimer laser, femtosecond laser, conductive and thermal keratoplasty work; (2) Describe how PRK, LASIK. Arcuate keratotomy, conductive keratoplasty are performed; (3) Demonstrate knowledge of the theory behind the lasers involved; (4) Describe indications and contraindications for the above procedures; (5) Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of systemic disease on refractive surgery patients; (6) Describe the management of corneal related refractive surgery complications; (7) Describe the treatments for keratoconus; (8) Demonstrate an understanding of the economics of setting up a refractive surgery practice; (9) Discuss lens based approaches to refractive surgery; (10) Have an understanding of the management of lens based related refractive surgery adverse events; (11) Understand the evidence for and ethical issues related to refractive surgery.

This unit of study provides students with the practical experience and knowledge necessary to assess and perform refractive 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 intra- and extra-ocular surgical techniques relevant to refractive surgery. They will rotate through a number of refractive surgical practices and observe refractive surgery taking place using a number of different refractive surgical systems. Students also attend a number of wet lab sessions designed to practise 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 practise of refractive surgery and that they have integrated this knowledge with prior learning and experience in their project. 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 must 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 practise of refractive surgery and that they have integrated this knowledge with prior learning and experience in their project. 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 must 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 practise of refractive surgery and that they have integrated this knowledge with prior learning and experience in their project. 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 must 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.